Device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application

ABSTRACT

An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, that includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, displays a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons include a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application. While a focus selector is over the respective application icon, the device detects a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: when the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, the device displays an application window of the respective application; and when the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, the device displays a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/536,464, filed Nov. 7, 2014, which is a continuation of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2013/040061, filed on May 8, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Displaying User Interface Objects Corresponding to an application,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,191, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Displaying User Interface Objects Corresponding to an application;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/747,278, filed Dec. 29, 2012, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Manipulating User Interface Objects with Visual and/or Haptic Feedback;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/688,227, filed May 9, 2012, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Manipulating User Interface Objects with Visual and/or Haptic Feedback,” which applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

This application is also related to the following: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,092, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Selecting Object within a Group of Objects;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,125, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Navigating User Interface Hierarchies;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,156, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Manipulating Framed Graphical Objects;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,179, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Scrolling Nested Regions;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,171, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Displaying Additional Information in Response to a User Contact;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,211, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Facilitating User Interaction with Controls in a User Interface;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,239, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Forgoing Generation of Tactile Output for a Multi-Contact Gesture;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,284, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Providing Tactile Feedback for Operations Performed in a User Interface;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,287, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Providing Feedback for Changing Activation States of a User Interface Object;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,363, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Transitioning between Touch Input to Display Output Relationships;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,367, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Moving a User Interface Object Based on an Intensity of a Press Input;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,265, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Transitioning between Display States in Response to a Gesture;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,373, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Managing Activation of a Control Based on Contact Intensity;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,412, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Displaying Content Associated with a Corresponding Affordance;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,413, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Selecting User Interface Objects;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,414, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Moving and Dropping a User Interface Object;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,416, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Determining Whether to Scroll or Select Content;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,418, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, entitled “Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Switching between User Interfaces,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

This application is also related to the following: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/645,033, filed on May 9, 2012, entitled “Adaptive Haptic Feedback for Electronic Devices;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/665,603, filed on Jun. 28, 2012, entitled “Adaptive Haptic Feedback for Electronic Devices;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/681,098, filed on Aug. 8, 2012, entitled “Adaptive Haptic Feedback for Electronic Devices,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces that detect inputs for manipulating user interfaces.

BACKGROUND

The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers and other electronic computing devices has increased significantly in recent years. Exemplary touch-sensitive surfaces include touch pads and touch screen displays. Such surfaces are widely used to manipulate user interface objects on a display.

Exemplary manipulations include adjusting the position and/or size of one or more user interface objects or activating buttons or opening files/applications represented by user interface objects, as well as associating metadata with one or more user interface objects or otherwise manipulating user interfaces. Exemplary user interface objects include digital images, video, text, icons, control elements such as buttons and other graphics. A user will, in some circumstances, need to perform such manipulations on user interface objects in a file management program (e.g., Finder from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), an image management application (e.g., Aperture or iPhoto from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a digital content (e.g., videos and music) management application (e.g., iTunes from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a drawing application, a presentation application (e.g., Keynote from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a word processing application (e.g., Pages from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a website creation application (e.g., iWeb from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a disk authoring application (e.g., iDVD from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), or a spreadsheet application (e.g., Numbers from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.).

But existing methods for performing these manipulations are cumbersome and inefficient. In addition, existing methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for manipulating user interfaces. Such methods and interfaces optionally complement or replace conventional methods for manipulating user interfaces. Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with user interfaces for electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, the device is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the functions optionally include image editing, drawing, presenting, word processing, website creating, disk authoring, spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video playing. Executable instructions for performing these functions are, optionally, included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or other computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors.

There is a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for previewing content. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for previewing content. Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a plurality of document icons, including a respective document icon corresponding to a respective electronic document associated with a respective application; and while a focus selector is over the respective document icon, detecting a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. The method further includes, in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, displaying the electronic document in a new application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, displaying a preview of the respective electronic document without displaying a new application window of the respective application.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a plurality of document icons, including a respective document icon corresponding to a respective electronic document associated with a respective application; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive gestures that include contacts; one or more sensor units configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit, the touch-sensitive surface unit, and the sensor units. The processing unit is configured to: while a focus selector is over the respective document icon, detect a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is further configured to, in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, enable display of the electronic document in a new application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, enable display of a preview of the respective electronic document without enabling display of a new application window of the respective application.

Thus, electronic devices with displays, touch-sensitive surfaces, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface are provided with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for previewing content, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for previewing content.

There is a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for previewing content. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for previewing content. Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a frame for previewing content, where the frame corresponds to a plurality of content items; detecting movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface; moving a focus selector across the frame in accordance with the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface; sequentially displaying, in the frame, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame, where a size of the previews is constrained to a size of the frame; while a respective preview of a respective content item is displayed in the frame at a first size, detecting an increase in intensity of the contact; in response to detecting the increase in intensity of the contact, increasing the size of the respective preview to a second size larger than the size of the frame; while displaying the respective preview at the second size, detecting a decrease in intensity of the contact; and in response to detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact, reducing the size of the respective preview to the first size.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a frame for previewing content, where the frame corresponds to a plurality of content items; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive contacts; one or more sensor units configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit, the touch-sensitive surface unit, and the sensor units. The processing unit is configured to detect movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface unit; move a focus selector across the frame in accordance with the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface unit; enable sequential display of, in the frame, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame, wherein a size of the previews is constrained to a size of the frame; while a respective preview of a respective content item is displayed in the frame at a first size, detect an increase in intensity of the contact; in response to detecting the increase in intensity of the contact, increase the size of the respective preview to a second size larger than the size of the frame; while displaying the respective preview at the second size, detect a decrease in intensity of the contact; and in response to detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact, reduce the size of the respective preview to the first size.

Thus, electronic devices with displays, touch-sensitive surfaces and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface are provided with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for previewing content, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for previewing content.

There is a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application. Such methods and interfaces reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons includes a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application; while a focus selector is over the respective application icon, detecting a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, displaying an application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, displaying a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons include a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive gestures including contacts; one or more sensor units configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit, the touch-sensitive surface unit and the sensor units. The processing unit is configured to: while a focus selector is over the respective application icon, detect a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit; and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, enable display of an application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, enable display of a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application.

Thus, electronic devices with displays, touch-sensitive surfaces and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface are provided with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application, thereby increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs; the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors and the one or more programs include instructions for performing the operations of any of the methods. In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes one or more of the elements displayed in any of the methods, which are updated in response to inputs, as described in any of the methods. In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions which when executed by an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to perform the operations of any of the methods. In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface; and means for performing the operations of any of the methods. In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus, for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, includes means for performing the operations of any of the methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screen in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5S illustrate exemplary user interfaces for previewing content in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of previewing content in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8W illustrate exemplary user interfaces for previewing content in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of previewing content in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11P illustrate exemplary user interfaces for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The methods, devices and GUIs described herein provide visual and/or haptic feedback that makes manipulation of user interface objects more efficient and intuitive for a user. For example, in a system where the clicking action of a trackpad is decoupled from the contact intensity (e.g., contact force, contact pressure, or a substitute therefore) that is needed to reach an activation threshold, the device can generate different tactile outputs (e.g., “different clicks”) for different activation events (e.g., so that clicks that accomplish a particular result are differentiated from clicks that do not produce any result or that accomplish a different result from the particular result). Additionally, tactile outputs can be generated in response to other events that are not related to increasing intensity of a contact, such as generating a tactile output (e.g., a “detent”) when a user interface object is moved to a particular position, boundary or orientation, or when an event occurs at the device.

Additionally, in a system where a trackpad or touch-screen display is sensitive to a range of contact intensity that includes more than one or two specific intensity values (e.g., more than a simple on/off, binary intensity determination), the user interface can provide responses (e.g., visual or tactile cues) that are indicative of the intensity of the contact within the range. In some implementations, a pre-activation-threshold response and/or a post-activation-threshold response to an input are displayed as continuous animations. As one example of such a response, a preview of an operation is displayed in response to detecting an increase in contact intensity that is still below an activation threshold for performing the operation. As another example of such a response, an animation associated with an operation continues even after the activation threshold for the operation has been reached. Both of these examples provide a user with a continuous response to the force or pressure of a user's contact, which provides a user with visual and/or haptic feedback that is richer and more intuitive. More specifically, such continuous force responses give the user the experience of being able to press lightly to preview an operation and/or press deeply to push “past” or “through” a predefined user interface state corresponding to the operation.

Additionally, for a device with a touch-sensitive surface that is sensitive to a range of contact intensity, multiple contact intensity thresholds can be monitored by the device and different functions can be mapped to different contact intensity thresholds. This serves to increase the available “gesture space” providing easy access to advanced features for users who know that increasing the intensity of a contact at or beyond a second “deep press” intensity threshold will cause the device to perform a different operation from an operation that would be performed if the intensity of the contact is between a first “activation” intensity threshold and the second “deep press” intensity threshold. An advantage of assigning additional functionality to a second “deep press” intensity threshold while maintaining familiar functionality at a first “activation” intensity threshold is that inexperienced users who are, in some circumstances, confused by the additional functionality can use the familiar functionality by just applying an intensity up to the first “activation” intensity threshold, whereas more experienced users can take advantage of the additional functionality by applying an intensity at the second “deep press” intensity threshold.

Additionally, for a device with a touch-sensitive surface that is sensitive to a range of contact intensity, the device can provide additional functionality by allowing users to perform complex operations with a single continuous contact. For example, when selecting a group of objects, a user can move a continuous contact around the touch-sensitive surface and can press while dragging (e.g., applying an intensity greater than a “deep press” intensity threshold) to add additional elements to a selection. In this way, a user can intuitively interact with a user interface where pressing harder with a contact causes objects in the user interface to be “stickier.”

A number of different approaches to providing an intuitive user interface on a device where a clicking action is decoupled from the force that is needed to reach an activation threshold and/or the device is sensitive to a wide range of contact intensities are described below. Using one or more of these approaches (optionally in conjunction with each other) helps to provide a user interface that intuitively provides users with additional information and functionality, thereby reducing the user's cognitive burden and improving the human-machine interface. Such improvements in the human-machine interface enable users to use the device faster and more efficiently. For battery-operated devices, these improvements conserve power and increase the time between battery charges. For ease of explanation, systems, methods and user interfaces for including illustrative examples of some of these approaches are described below, as follows:

-   -   Many electronic devices allow users to interact with items such         as documents. A document may reside in a folder or be attached         to another document, such as an email. In some methods, if the         user wants to look at the contents of the document, the user         would have to open the document in the associated application.         This can be tedious and wasteful of system resources, as the         user may merely wish to view the document contents quickly. The         embodiments described below improve on these methods of         interacting with documents by allowing the user to preview a         document or open the document based on the intensity of a         contact corresponding to a focus selector interacting with a         document icon. In particular, FIGS. 5A-5S illustrate exemplary         user interfaces for previewing content. FIGS. 6A-6C are flow         diagrams illustrating a method of previewing content. The user         interfaces in FIGS. 5A-5S are used to illustrate the processes         in FIGS. 6A-6C.     -   Many electronic devices have user interfaces for browsing         content items, such as photos. The content items are,         optionally, organized into multiple sets of items. In some         methods, to preview the items within a set, a user would need to         first select and open the desired set of items as in opening a         folder, and then preview the items in the set. This adds         additional steps to the previewing process and can make the         process tedious if the user is previewing items in multiple         sets. The embodiments below improve on these methods by enabling         a user to preview items within a set in accordance with movement         and intensity of a contact. In particular, 8A-8W illustrate         exemplary user interfaces for previewing content. FIGS. 9A-9C         are flow diagrams illustrating a method of previewing content.         The user interfaces in FIGS. 8A-8W are used to illustrate the         processes in FIGS. 9A-9C.     -   At any one time, a user may have multiple windows for any one         application opened, and not all of them are displayed. Some of         these windows or documents are, optionally, minimized or hidden         by other windows. Further, an application may have a recently         opened documents history. In some methods, a user keeps track of         the multiple windows by looking at a taskbar or opening a task         list, both of which are, optionally, hidden at first. To look at         a recently opened documents history for an application, the user         has to open the application. These methods add additional steps         for the user and can be confusing and time consuming. The         embodiments described below improve on these methods by         providing a more efficient way to review currently opened         windows and a history of recently opened documents in accordance         with an intensity of a contact. In particular, FIGS. 11A-11P         illustrate exemplary user interfaces for displaying user         interface objects corresponding to an application. FIGS. 12A-12B         are flow diagrams illustrating a method of displaying user         interface objects corresponding to an application. The user         interfaces in FIGS. 11A-11P are used to illustrate the processes         in FIGS. 12A-12B.

EXEMPLARY DEVICES

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.

The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), are, optionally, used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touch pad).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should be understood, however, that the electronic device optionally includes one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a word processing application, a website creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a workout support application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application.

The various applications that are executed on the device optionally use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device are, optionally, adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device optionally supports the variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with touch-sensitive displays. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive displays 112 in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display 112 is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and is sometimes known as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device 100 includes memory 102 (which optionally includes one or more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units (CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device 100 optionally includes one or more optical sensors 164. Device 100 optionally includes one or more intensity sensors 165 for detecting intensity of contacts on device 100 (e.g., a touch-sensitive surface such as touch-sensitive display system 112 of device 100). Device 100 optionally includes one or more tactile output generators 167 for generating tactile outputs on device 100 (e.g., generating tactile outputs on a touch-sensitive surface such as touch-sensitive display system 112 of device 100 or touchpad 355 of device 300). These components optionally communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 103.

As used in the specification and claims, the term “intensity” of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface refers to the force or pressure (force per unit area) of a contact (e.g., a finger contact) on the touch sensitive surface, or to a substitute (proxy) for the force or pressure of a contact on the touch sensitive surface. The intensity of a contact has a range of values that includes at least four distinct values and more typically includes hundreds of distinct values (e.g., at least 256). Intensity of a contact is, optionally, determined (or measured) using various approaches and various sensors or combinations of sensors. For example, one or more force sensors underneath or adjacent to the touch-sensitive surface are, optionally, used to measure force at various points on the touch-sensitive surface. In some implementations, force measurements from multiple force sensors are combined (e.g., a weighted average) to determine an estimated force of a contact. Similarly, a pressure-sensitive tip of a stylus is, optionally, used to determine a pressure of the stylus on the touch-sensitive surface. Alternatively, the size of the contact area detected on the touch-sensitive surface and/or changes thereto, the capacitance of the touch-sensitive surface proximate to the contact and/or changes thereto, and/or the resistance of the touch-sensitive surface proximate to the contact and/or changes thereto are, optionally, used as a substitute for the force or pressure of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface. In some implementations, the substitute measurements for contact force or pressure are used directly to determine whether an intensity threshold has been exceeded (e.g., the intensity threshold is described in units corresponding to the substitute measurements). In some implementations, the substitute measurements for contact force or pressure are converted to an estimated force or pressure and the estimated force or pressure is used to determine whether an intensity threshold has been exceeded (e.g., the intensity threshold is a pressure threshold measured in units of pressure).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “tactile output” refers to physical displacement of a device relative to a previous position of the device, physical displacement of a component (e.g., a touch-sensitive surface) of a device relative to another component (e.g., housing) of the device, or displacement of the component relative to a center of mass of the device that will be detected by a user with the user's sense of touch. For example, in situations where the device or the component of the device is in contact with a surface of a user that is sensitive to touch (e.g., a finger, palm, or other part of a user's hand), the tactile output generated by the physical displacement will be interpreted by the user as a tactile sensation corresponding to a perceived change in physical characteristics of the device or the component of the device. For example, movement of a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or trackpad) is, optionally, interpreted by the user as a “down click” or “up click” of a physical actuator button. In some cases, a user will feel a tactile sensation such as an “down click” or “up click” even when there is no movement of a physical actuator button associated with the touch-sensitive surface that is physically pressed (e.g., displaced) by the user's movements. As another example, movement of the touch-sensitive surface is, optionally, interpreted or sensed by the user as “roughness” of the touch-sensitive surface, even when there is no change in smoothness of the touch-sensitive surface. While such interpretations of touch by a user will be subject to the individualized sensory perceptions of the user, there are many sensory perceptions of touch that are common to a large majority of users. Thus, when a tactile output is described as corresponding to a particular sensory perception of a user (e.g., an “up click,” a “down click,” “roughness”), unless otherwise stated, the generated tactile output corresponds to physical displacement of the device or a component thereof that will generate the described sensory perception for a typical (or average) user.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device 100 optionally has more or fewer components than shown, optionally combines two or more components, or optionally has a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in FIG. 1A are implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 optionally includes high-speed random access memory and optionally also includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such as CPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, is, optionally, controlled by memory controller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or more processors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions for device 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memory controller 122 are, optionally, implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. In some other embodiments, they are, optionally, implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 optionally includes well-known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry 108 optionally communicates with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication optionally uses any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), Evolution, Data-Only (EV-DO), HSPA, HSPA+, Dual-Cell HSPA (DC-HSPDA), long term evolution (LTE), near field communication (NFC), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audio interface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receives audio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111. Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted by microphone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data is, optionally, retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 by peripherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 also includes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, such as touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripherals interface 118. I/O subsystem 106 optionally includes display controller 156, optical sensor controller 158, intensity sensor controller 159, haptic feedback controller 161 and one or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices 116. The other input control devices 116 optionally include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 are, optionally, coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG. 2) optionally include an up/down button for volume control of speaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons optionally include a push button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen 112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output optionally includes graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output corresponds to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 and converts the detected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a finger of the user.

Touch screen 112 optionally uses LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologies are used in other embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 optionally detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 optionally has a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user optionally makes contact with touch screen 112 using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 optionally includes a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad is, optionally, a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the various components. Power system 162 optionally includes a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more optical sensors 164. FIG. 1A shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158 in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 optionally includes charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143 (also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 optionally captures still images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display is enabled for use as a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user's image is, optionally, obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more contact intensity sensors 165. FIG. 1A shows a contact intensity sensor coupled to intensity sensor controller 159 in I/O subsystem 106. Contact intensity sensor 165 optionally includes one or more piezoresistive strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, electric force sensors, piezoelectric force sensors, optical force sensors, capacitive touch-sensitive surfaces, or other intensity sensors (e.g., sensors used to measure the force (or pressure) of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface). Contact intensity sensor 165 receives contact intensity information (e.g., pressure information or a proxy for pressure information) from the environment. In some embodiments, at least one contact intensity sensor is collocated with, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112). In some embodiments, at least one contact intensity sensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 which is located on the front of device 100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 1A shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, proximity sensor 166 is coupled to input controller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device is placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more tactile output generators 167. FIG. 1A shows a tactile output generator coupled to haptic feedback controller 161 in I/O subsystem 106. Tactile output generator 167 optionally includes one or more electroacoustic devices such as speakers or other audio components and/or electromechanical devices that convert energy into linear motion such as a motor, solenoid, electroactive polymer, piezoelectric actuator, electrostatic actuator, or other tactile output generating component (e.g., a component that converts electrical signals into tactile outputs on the device). Contact intensity sensor 165 receives tactile feedback generation instructions from haptic feedback module 133 and generates tactile outputs on device 100 that are capable of being sensed by a user of device 100. In some embodiments, at least one tactile output generator is collocated with, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112) and, optionally, generates a tactile output by moving the touch-sensitive surface vertically (e.g., in/out of a surface of device 100) or laterally (e.g., back and forth in the same plane as a surface of device 100). In some embodiments, at least one tactile output generator sensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 which is located on the front of device 100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more accelerometers 168. FIG. 1A shows accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, accelerometer 168 is, optionally, coupled to an input controller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition to accelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASS or other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102 include operating system 126, communication module (or set of instructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130, graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or set of instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136. Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/global internal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. Device/global internal state 157 includes one or more of: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications, views or other information occupy various regions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, including information obtained from the device's various sensors and input control devices 116; and location information concerning the device's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports 124 and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/or external port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects contact with touch screen 112 (in conjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module 130 includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining an intensity of the contact (e.g., the force or pressure of the contact or a substitute for the force or pressure of the contact) determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130 receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, optionally includes determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations are, optionally, applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156 detect contact on a touchpad.

In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 uses a set of one or more intensity thresholds to determine whether an operation has been performed by a user (e.g., to determine whether a user has “clicked” on an icon). In some embodiments at least a subset of the intensity thresholds are determined in accordance with software parameters (e.g., the intensity thresholds are not determined by the activation thresholds of particular physical actuators and can be adjusted without changing the physical hardware of device 100). For example, a mouse “click” threshold of a trackpad or touch screen display can be set to any of a large range of predefined thresholds values without changing the trackpad or touch screen display hardware. Additionally, in some implementations a user of the device is provided with software settings for adjusting one or more of the set of intensity thresholds (e.g., by adjusting individual intensity thresholds and/or by adjusting a plurality of intensity thresholds at once with a system-level click “intensity” parameter).

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects a gesture input by a user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contact patterns and intensities. Thus, a gesture is, optionally, detected by detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display, including components for changing the visual impact (e.g., brightness, transparency, saturation, contrast or other visual property) of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic is, optionally, assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to display controller 156.

Haptic feedback module 133 includes various software components for generating instructions used by tactile output generator(s) 167 to produce tactile outputs at one or more locations on device 100 in response to user interactions with device 100.

Text input module 134, which is, optionally, a component of graphics module 132, provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other application that needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 for use in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 optionally include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact         list);     -   telephone module 138;     -   video conferencing module 139;     -   e-mail client module 140;     -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;     -   workout support module 142;     -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;     -   image management module 144;     -   browser module 147;     -   calendar module 148;     -   widget modules 149, which optionally include one or more of:         weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget         149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and         other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created         widgets 149-6;     -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;     -   search module 151;     -   video and music player module 152, which is, optionally, made up         of a video player module and a music player module;     -   notes module 153;     -   map module 154; and/or     -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that are, optionally, stored in memory 102 include other word processing applications, other image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contacts module 137 are, optionally, used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 in memory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139, e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module 138 are, optionally, used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book 137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wireless communication optionally uses any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138, videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mail client module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages optionally include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146, workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143 includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and camera module 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendar module 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 are mini-applications that are, optionally, downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 are, optionally, used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music player module 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port 124). In some embodiments, device 100 optionally includes the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module 153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 are, optionally, used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail with a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used to send a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules are, optionally, combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 102 optionally stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device 100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device 100 is, optionally, reduced.

The predefined set of functions that are performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad optionally include navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that is displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, a “menu button” is implemented using a touchpad. In some other embodiments, the menu button is a physical push button or other physical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter 170 (e.g., in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1 (e.g., any of the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines the application 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to which to deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes event monitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, which indicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitive display 112 when the application is active or executing. In some embodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter 170 to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, and application internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determine application views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additional information, such as one or more of: resume information to be used when application 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state information that indicates information being displayed or that is ready for display by application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back to a prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue of previous actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface 118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., a user touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touch gesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receives from I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166, accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry 110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/O subsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or a touch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripherals interface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripherals interface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments, peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there is a significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predetermined noise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit view determination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determination module 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures for determining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views, when touch sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views are made up of controls and other elements that a user can see on the display.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is a set of views, sometimes herein called application views or user interface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-based gestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) in which a touch is detected optionally correspond to programmatic levels within a programmatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, the lowest level view in which a touch is detected is, optionally, called the hit view, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs are, optionally, determined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touch that begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related to sub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multiple views organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172 identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which should handle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowest level view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the first sub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potential event). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determination module, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to the same touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which view or views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determination module 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizer determination module 173 determines that all views that include the physical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, and therefore determines that all actively involved views should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touch sub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with one particular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain as actively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an event recognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including active event recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined by active event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments, event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the event information, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module 182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170. Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet other embodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part of another module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of event handlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of which includes instructions for handling touch events that occur within a respective view of the application's user interface. Each application view 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers 180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a plurality of event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of event recognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interface kit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1 inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respective event handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, object updater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from event sorter 170. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater 176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the application internal state 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views 191 includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in some embodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g., event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from the event information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 and event comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 also includes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event delivery instructions 188 (which optionally include sub-event delivery instructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. The event information includes information about a sub-event, for example, a touch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the event information also includes additional information, such as location of the sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch, the event information optionally also includes speed and direction of the sub-event. In some embodiments, events include rotation of the device from one orientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation, or vice versa), and the event information includes corresponding information about the current orientation (also called device attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined event or sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines an event or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event or sub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes event definitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events (e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1 (187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events in an event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touch movement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, the definition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object. The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition for event 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, for example, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitive display 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments, the event also includes information for one or more associated event handlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of an event for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interface object is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an application view in which three user-interface objects are displayed on touch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitive display 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which of the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch (sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respective event handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit test to determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example, event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with the sub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 also includes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event information until after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-events does or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series of sub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, the respective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, event failed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequent sub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other event recognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue to track and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata 183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how the event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to actively involved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how event recognizers interact, or are enabled to interact, with one another. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view or programmatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates event handler 190 associated with an event when one or more particular sub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with the event to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinct from sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated with the recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flag catches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-event delivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-event without activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event delivery instructions deliver event information to event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved views receive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used in application 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephone number used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in video player module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates and updates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater 177 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of a user-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUI updater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module 132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In some embodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178 are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 or application view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two or more software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding event handling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies to other forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 with input-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens. For example, mouse movement and mouse button presses, optionally coordinated with single or multiple keyboard presses or holds; contact movements such as taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads; pen stylus inputs; movement of the device; oral instructions; detected eye movements; biometric inputs; and/or any combination thereof are optionally utilized as inputs corresponding to sub-events which define an event to be recognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touch screen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen optionally displays one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user is enabled to select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, the gesture optionally includes one or more taps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with device 100. In some implementations or circumstances, inadvertent contact with a graphic does not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an application icon optionally does not select the corresponding application when the gesture corresponding to selection is a tap.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 is, optionally, used to navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that are, optionally executed on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen 112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button 204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging external port 124. Push button 206 is, optionally, used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also accepts verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113. Device 100 also, optionally, includes one or more contact intensity sensors 165 for detecting intensity of contacts on touch screen 112 and/or one or more tactile output generators 167 for generating tactile outputs for a user of device 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments, device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device (such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device (e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typically includes one or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or other communications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communication buses 320 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. Device 300 includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display 340, which is typically a touch screen display. I/O interface 330 also optionally includes a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device) 350 and touchpad 355, tactile output generator 357 for generating tactile outputs on device 300 (e.g., similar to tactile output generator(s) 167 described above with reference to FIG. 1A), sensors 359 (e.g., optical, acceleration, proximity, touch-sensitive, and/or contact intensity sensors similar to contact intensity sensor(s) 165 described above with reference to FIG. 1A). Memory 370 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 370 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 310. In some embodiments, memory 370 stores programs, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A), or a subset thereof. Furthermore, memory 370 optionally stores additional programs, modules, and data structures not present in memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 optionally stores drawing module 380, presentation module 382, word processing module 384, website creation module 386, disk authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheet module 390, while memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A) optionally does not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 are, optionally, stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the above identified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules are, optionally, combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370 optionally stores additional modules and data structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”) that is, optionally, implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance with some embodiments. Similar user interfaces are, optionally, implemented on device 300. In some embodiments, user interface 400 includes the following elements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),         such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;     -   Time 404;     -   Bluetooth indicator 405;     -   Battery status indicator 406;     -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:         -   Icon 416 for telephone module 138, labeled “Phone,” which             optionally includes an indicator 414 of the number of missed             calls or voicemail messages;         -   Icon 418 for e-mail client module 140, labeled “Mail,” which             optionally includes an indicator 410 of the number of unread             e-mails;         -   Icon 420 for browser module 147, labeled “Browser;” and         -   Icon 422 for video and music player module 152, also             referred to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152,             labeled “iPod;” and     -   Icons for other applications, such as:         -   Icon 424 for IM module 141, labeled “Text;”         -   Icon 426 for calendar module 148, labeled “Calendar;”         -   Icon 428 for image management module 144, labeled “Photos;”         -   Icon 430 for camera module 143, labeled “Camera;”         -   Icon 432 for online video module 155, labeled “Online Video”         -   Icon 434 for stocks widget 149-2, labeled “Stocks;”         -   Icon 436 for map module 154, labeled “Map;”         -   Icon 438 for weather widget 149-1, labeled “Weather;”         -   Icon 440 for alarm clock widget 149-4, labeled “Clock;”         -   Icon 442 for workout support module 142, labeled “Workout             Support;”         -   Icon 444 for notes module 153, labeled “Notes;” and         -   Icon 446 for a settings application or module, which             provides access to settings for device 100 and its various             applications 136.

It should be noted that the icon labels illustrated in FIG. 4A are merely exemplary. For example, icon 422 for video and music player module 152 are labeled “Music” or “Music Player.” Other labels are, optionally, used for various application icons. In some embodiments, a label for a respective application icon includes a name of an application corresponding to the respective application icon. In some embodiments, a label for a particular application icon is distinct from a name of an application corresponding to the particular application icon.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tablet or touchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450 (e.g., touch screen display 112). Device 300 also, optionally, includes one or more contact intensity sensors (e.g., one or more of sensors 359) for detecting intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 and/or one or more tactile output generators 357 for generating tactile outputs for a user of device 300.

Although some of the examples which follow will be given with reference to inputs on touch screen display 112 (where the touch sensitive surface and the display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detects inputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display, as shown in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments the touch sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) has a primary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4B) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g., 453 in FIG. 4B) on the display (e.g., 450). In accordance with these embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG. 4B) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 at locations that correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in FIG. 4B, 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In this way, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movements thereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) are used by the device to manipulate the user interface on the display (e.g., 450 in FIG. 4B) of the multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should be understood that similar methods are, optionally, used for other user interfaces described herein.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily with reference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures, finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in some embodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with input from another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or stylus input). For example, a swipe gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouse click (e.g., instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor along the path of the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). As another example, a tap gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouse click while the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture (e.g., instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detect the contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneously detected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice are, optionally, used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts are, optionally, used simultaneously.

As used herein, the term “focus selector” refers to an input element that indicates a current part of a user interface with which a user is interacting. In some implementations that include a cursor or other location marker, the cursor acts as a “focus selector,” so that when an input (e.g., a press input) is detected on a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., touchpad 355 in FIG. 3 or touch-sensitive surface 451 in FIG. 4B) while the cursor is over a particular user interface element (e.g., a button, window, slider or other user interface element), the particular user interface element is adjusted in accordance with the detected input. In some implementations that include a touch-screen display (e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112 in FIG. 1A or touch screen 112 in FIG. 4A) that enables direct interaction with user interface elements on the touch-screen display, a detected contact on the touch-screen acts as a “focus selector,” so that when an input (e.g., a press input by the contact) is detected on the touch-screen display at a location of a particular user interface element (e.g., a button, window, slider or other user interface element), the particular user interface element is adjusted in accordance with the detected input. In some implementations focus is moved from one region of a user interface to another region of the user interface without corresponding movement of a cursor or movement of a contact on a touch-screen display (e.g., by using a tab key or arrow keys to move focus from one button to another button); in these implementations, the focus selector moves in accordance with movement of focus between different regions of the user interface. Without regard to the specific form taken by the focus selector, the focus selector is generally the user interface element (or contact on a touch-screen display) that is controlled by the user so as to communicate the user's intended interaction with the user interface (e.g., by indicating, to the device, the element of the user interface with which the user is intending to interact). For example, the location of a focus selector (e.g., a cursor, a contact or a selection box) over a respective button while a press input is detected on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchpad or touch screen) will indicate that the user is intending to activate the respective button (as opposed to other user interface elements shown on a display of the device).

The user interface figures described below include various intensity diagrams that show the current intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface relative to one or more intensity thresholds (e.g., a contact detection intensity threshold IT₀, a light press intensity threshold IT_(L), a deep press intensity threshold IT_(D), and/or one or more other intensity thresholds). This intensity diagram is typically not part of the displayed user interface, but is provided to aid in the interpretation of the figures. In some embodiments, the light press intensity threshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device will perform operations typically associated with clicking a button of a physical mouse or a trackpad. In some embodiments, the deep press intensity threshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device will perform operations that are different from operations typically associated with clicking a button of a physical mouse or a trackpad. In some embodiments, when a contact is detected with an intensity below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., and above a nominal contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ below which the contact is no longer detected), the device will move a focus selector in accordance with movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface without performing an operation associated with the light press intensity threshold or the deep press intensity threshold. Generally, unless otherwise stated, these intensity thresholds are consistent between different sets of user interface figures.

An increase of intensity of the contact from an intensity below the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) to an intensity between the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) and the deep press intensity threshold IT_(D) is sometimes referred to as a “light press” input. An increase of intensity of the contact from an intensity below the deep press intensity threshold IT_(D) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold IT_(D) is sometimes referred to as a “deep press” input. An increase of intensity of the contact from an intensity below the contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ to an intensity between the contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ and the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) is sometimes referred to as detecting the contact on the touch-surface. A decrease of intensity of the contact from an intensity above the contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ to an intensity below the contact intensity threshold IT₀ is sometimes referred to as detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-surface. In some embodiments IT₀ is zero. In some embodiments IT₀ is greater than zero. In some illustrations a shaded circle or oval is used to represent intensity of a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. In some illustrations a circle or oval without shading is used represent a respective contact on the touch-sensitive surface without specifying the intensity of the respective contact.

In some embodiments described herein, one or more operations are performed in response to detecting a gesture that includes a respective press input or in response to detecting the respective press input performed with a respective contact (or a plurality of contacts), where the respective press input is detected based at least in part on detecting an increase in intensity of the contact (or plurality of contacts) above a press-input intensity threshold. In some embodiments, the respective operation is performed in response to detecting the increase in intensity of the respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold (e.g., a “down stroke” of the respective press input). In some embodiments, the press input includes an increase in intensity of the respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold and a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact below the press-input intensity threshold, and the respective operation is performed in response to detecting the subsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contact below the press-input threshold (e.g., an “up stroke” of the respective press input).

In some embodiments, the device employs intensity hysteresis to avoid accidental inputs sometimes termed “jitter,” where the device defines or selects a hysteresis intensity threshold with a predefined relationship to the press-input intensity threshold (e.g., the hysteresis intensity threshold is X intensity units lower than the press-input intensity threshold or the hysteresis intensity threshold is 75%, 90% or some reasonable proportion of the press-input intensity threshold). Thus, in some embodiments, the press input includes an increase in intensity of the respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold and a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact below the hysteresis intensity threshold that corresponds to the press-input intensity threshold, and the respective operation is performed in response to detecting the subsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contact below the hysteresis intensity threshold (e.g., an “up stroke” of the respective press input). Similarly, in some embodiments, the press input is detected only when the device detects an increase in intensity of the contact from an intensity at or below the hysteresis intensity threshold to an intensity at or above the press-input intensity threshold and, optionally, a subsequent decrease in intensity of the contact to an intensity at or below the hysteresis intensity, and the respective operation is performed in response to detecting the press input (e.g., the increase in intensity of the contact or the decrease in intensity of the contact, depending on the circumstances).

For ease of explanation, the description of operations performed in response to a press input associated with a press-input intensity threshold or in response to a gesture including the press input are, optionally, triggered in response to detecting either: an increase in intensity of a contact above the press-input intensity threshold, an increase in intensity of a contact from an intensity below the hysteresis intensity threshold to an intensity above the press-input intensity threshold, a decrease in intensity of the contact below the press-input intensity threshold, and/or a decrease in intensity of the contact below the hysteresis intensity threshold corresponding to the press-input intensity threshold. Additionally, in examples where an operation is described as being performed in response to detecting a decrease in intensity of a contact below the press-input intensity threshold, the operation is, optionally, performed in response to detecting a decrease in intensity of the contact below a hysteresis intensity threshold corresponding to, and lower than, the press-input intensity threshold.

User Interfaces and Associated Processes Previewing Content

Many electronic devices allow users to interact with items such as documents. A document may reside in a folder or attached another document, such as an email. In some methods, if the user wants to look at the contents of the document, the user would have to open the document in the associated application. This can be tedious and wasteful of system resources, as the user may merely wish to view the document contents quickly. The embodiments below improve on existing methods of interacting with documents by allowing the user to preview a document or open the document based on the intensity of a contact corresponding to interacting with a document icon. If the gesture includes a contact with a high intensity, the device displays a preview of the document is displayed. If the gesture includes a contact with a relatively low intensity, the device opens the document in the associated application. The user is thus able to control whether the device opens the document or opens a preview the document by adjusting the intensity of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface.

FIGS. 5A-5S illustrate exemplary user interfaces for previewing content in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processes described below, including the processes in FIGS. 6A-6C. FIGS. 5A-5S include intensity diagrams that show the current intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface relative to a plurality of intensity thresholds including a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) and a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In some embodiments, operations similar to those described below with reference to IT_(D) are performed with reference to a different intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), and vice versa.

FIG. 5A illustrates window 2404 of an application displayed on display 450 (e.g., display 340, touch screen 112) of a device (e.g., device 300, 100). The application with which window 2404 is associated is an application that displays content, such as an email application. Content, such as document 2406, is displayed in window 2404. Document 2406 optionally includes embedded content, attached content, and/or links to other content (for convenience, collectively referred to below as “embedded content”). The embedded content is, optionally, represented by document icons 2408. For example, document 2406 includes document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2, each of which corresponds to respective embedded content (e.g., a document) embedded in document 2406. The respective documents corresponding to icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 are associated with respective applications. For example, icon 2408-1 optionally corresponds to a presentation document, which is associated with a presentation application. The document associated with an icon 2408 is, optionally, a word processing document, a spreadsheet, a presentation, a drawing, a graphic or image, an audio file, a video file, a text document, or a Portable Document Format document (sometimes referred to as a PDF).

Cursor 2410 is also displayed on display 450. Cursor 2410 is an example of a focus selector. A user may move cursor 2410 on display 450 (e.g., using touch-sensitive surface 451 of the device) to bring focus to an element displayed on display 450 (e.g., a user interface object, an icon, a link, etc.) by moving a contact on touch-sensitive surface 451. FIG. 5A shows movement of contact 2412 down and to the left on touch-sensitive surface 451 that causes the device to move cursor 2410 down and to the left on display 450.

FIG. 5B shows gesture detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 2410 is located over document icon 2408-1. The gesture includes a press input corresponding to an increase in intensity of contact 2412 on touch-sensitive surface 451 from an intensity below the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold IT_(L). Contact 2412 in the gesture is determined to have a maximum intensity that is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

In response to the detection of the gesture including contact 2412 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2412 had a maximum intensity that is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the document corresponding to document icon 2408-1 is displayed in a new application window of the application with which the document is associated. For example, FIG. 5C shows Document 1 2416, which corresponds to document icon 2408-1, displayed in new application window 2414 for the application with which Document 1 2416 is associated (e.g., if document 1 is a word processing document, then the application associated with application window 2414 is a word processing document creation application). Application window 2414 is, optionally, displayed over window 2404. The application with which Document 1 2416 is associated is, optionally, different from the application with which window 2404 is associated (e.g., Document 1 is associated with a word processing creation application and window 2404 is a window of an email application). In some embodiments, Document 1 2416 is editable by the user while displayed in application window 2414. In some embodiments, Document 1 2416 is displayed in application window 2414 after liftoff of contact 2412 is detected. For example, in FIG. 5C, the device has detected a liftoff of contact 2412, and Document 1 2416 is displayed after (or in response to) the liftoff of contact 2412.

While Document 1 2416 is displayed in application window 2414, focus is, optionally, taken away from Document 1 2416 in application window 2414. For example, in FIG. 5D, the device detects a gesture including movement of contact 2418 across touch-sensitive surface 451 to the location of contact 2418 in FIG. 5E and in response to detecting movement of contact 2418, the device moves cursor 2410 across display 450. In FIG. 5E, the device detects an increase in the intensity of contact 2418 from an intensity below IT_(L) to an intensity above IT_(L) and in response to detecting the increase in intensity of contact 2418, of the device moves focus away from application window 2414. In response to detection of the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2418, Document 1 2416 remains displayed in application window 2414 (e.g., the application associated with Document 1 does not cease to be displayed solely based on focus being shifted to a different element in the user interface).

FIGS. 5F-5G shows a gesture including contact 2420 (e.g., a tap-and-hold gesture) detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 2410 is located over icon 2408-1. The gesture includes detecting an increase in intensity of contact 2420 on touch-sensitive surface 451 from an intensity below a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). The contact has an intensity that is determined by the device throughout the gesture. The contact in gesture 2420 is determined to have reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

In response to the detection of the gesture including contact 2420 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2420 reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), preview 2424 of Document 1 2416 is displayed in preview interface 2422, and application window 2414 with Document 1 2416 is not displayed, as shown in FIG. 5H. Preview interface 2422 is, optionally, a pop-up window.

In some embodiments, an animation showing a transformation of icon 2408-1 to preview interface 2422 is displayed. For example, FIGS. 5F-5H shows, in response to the detection of the gesture that includes the increase in intensity of contact 2420 from an intensity below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device expands icon 2408-1 into preview interface 2422, showing an animation that includes one or more intermediate stages 2421. The progression of the expansion animation is, optionally, determined in accordance with the intensity of contact 2420 in the gesture. For example, the higher the intensity of the contact (while remaining above the deep press intensity threshold), the faster the animation progresses. Alternatively, the progression of the transformation animation is mapped to various intensity values. As the intensity of contact 2420 increases through the various intensity values, the animation progresses, and the animation is reversed if the intensity decreases below the intensity values.

In some embodiments, preview 2424 is displayed in preview interface 2422 before liftoff of contact 2420 is detected. For example, in FIGS. 5F-5H, contact 2420 continues to be detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 as preview interface 2422 is displayed in response to detection of the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2420.

In some embodiments, preview interface 2422, in which preview 2424 is displayed, is associated with a preview application for previewing documents associated with multiple different applications (e.g., the preview application can display read-only views of word processing documents, presentation documents, PDFs and spreadsheet documents). The preview application is different from the application with which application window 2414 is associated. For example, if Document 1 2416 is a presentation document, then application window 2414 is a window of a presentation application, and preview interface 2422 is an interface of a preview application that is configured to read the presentation document as well as other types of documents (e.g., word processing documents, PDFs and spreadsheet documents). In some embodiments, the preview application does not enable editing of Document 1 2416 while it is displayed as preview 2424 (e.g., Document 1 2416 is read-only while displayed as preview 2424 in preview interface 2422), and the application associated with application window 2414 does allow editing of Document 1 2416 while displayed in application window 2414. In some embodiments, the application associated with application window 2414 has a set of document editing capabilities, and the preview application is missing one or more of the set of document editing capabilities (e.g., the preview application provides limited editing capabilities compared to the “full set” of editing capabilities provided by the application associated with application window 2414).

While preview 2424 is displayed in preview interface 2422, focus is, optionally, taken away from preview 2424 in preview interface 2422. For example, in Figure SI, the device detects a tap gesture including detecting contact 2426 on touch-sensitive surface 451. In response to the detection of the tap gesture while cursor 2410 is at a location on display 450 that is remote from preview interface 2422, the device moves focus away from preview window 2422 and ceases to display preview interface 2422 and preview 2424, as shown in FIG. 5J.

FIGS. 5J-5L illustrate a gesture including movement of contact 2428 across touch-sensitive surface 451 and a press input including an increase in intensity of contact 2428 from an intensity below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) while cursor 2410 is located over icon 2408-1. In response to detecting movement of contact 2428 upward and to the left on touch-sensitive surface while contact 2428 has an intensity between IT₀ and IT_(L) the device moves cursor 2410 upward and to the left on display. In response to the detection of intensity of the contact increase in intensity of contact 2428 from an intensity below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device changes the appearance of icon 2408-1 to indicate that preview 2424 will be displayed in response to detection of an end of the gesture (e.g., liftoff of contact 2428). For example, the change in appearance includes decreasing the size of icon 2408-1, as shown in FIG. 5L. The size decrease is, optionally, displayed as an animation in which the progression of the animation is determined in accordance with the intensity of the contact (e.g., icon 2408-1 decreases in size more as the intensity increases above IT_(D)). As the intensity of contact 2428 decreases toward a liftoff (and thus the end of the gesture), icon 2408-1 is animated to transform into preview interface 2422 with preview 2424, as shown in FIGS. 5M-5O.

In some embodiments, document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 are not displayed within a document, and the corresponding documents are not embedded in another document. For example, document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 are, optionally, displayed on a desktop user interface or in a listing of files in a folder; document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 optionally represent respective shortcuts to the corresponding documents or the documents themselves.

FIGS. 5P-5S illustrate an example of the user interfaces described above with reference to FIGS. 5A-5O implemented on a device with a touch-sensitive display 2430 (e.g., device 100 with touch screen 112). FIG. 5P shows document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 displayed in document 2406, on touch-sensitive display 2430. A gesture including an increase in intensity of contact 2432 from an intensity below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) is detected on touch-sensitive display 2430 while a focus selector (e.g., contact 2432) is over icon 2408-1. Contact 2432 in the gesture is determined to have a maximum intensity that is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In response to the detection of the gesture including contact 2432 and in accordance with the determination that the maximum intensity of the contact 2432 is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays application window 2414 with Document 1 2416 on touch-sensitive display 2430, as shown in FIG. 5Q.

FIG. 5R shows document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 displayed in document 2406, on touch-sensitive display 2430. A gesture including an increase in intensity of contact 2434 from an intensity below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) detected on touch-sensitive display 2430 while a focus selector (e.g., contact 2434) is over 2408-1. Contact 2434 in the gesture is determined to have reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In response to the detection of the gesture including contact 2434 and in accordance with the determination that the contact 2434 in the gesture reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), preview interface 2422 and preview 2424 are displayed on display 2430, as shown in FIG. 5S.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 2500 of previewing content in accordance with some embodiments. The method 2500 is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 2500 are, optionally, combined and/or the order of some operations are, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 2500 provides an intuitive way to preview content. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when previewing content, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to preview content faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

The device displays (2502) a plurality of document icons, including a respective document icon corresponding to a respective electronic document associated with a respective application. For example, document icons 2408-1 and 2408-2 are displayed on display 450 or touch-sensitive display 2430, as shown in FIG. 5A or 5P. Document icon 2408-1 corresponds to Document 1 2416, which is associated with an application (e.g., Document 1 is a word processing document associated with a word processing document creation application, or Document 1 is a presentation document associated with a presentation document creation application).

While a focus selector (e.g., a selection box, a cursor, or a representative point corresponding to a contact such as a finger contact or a stylus contact) is over the respective document icon, the device detects (2504) a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, while cursor 2410 is located over icon 2408-1, the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2412 in FIGS. 5B-5C (or the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2420 in FIGS. 5F-5H) is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. As another example, the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2432 in FIGS. 5P-5Q (or the gesture including the increase in intensity of contact 2434 in FIGS. 5R-5S) is detected on touch-sensitive display 2430 while the contact that increases in intensity during the gesture (e.g., contact 2432 or contact 2434, respectively) is over icon 2408-1.

In response (2506) to detecting the gesture, in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays (2508) the electronic document in a new application window of the respective application. For example, in response to the detection of the gesture that includes the increase in intensity of contact 2412 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2412 had a maximum intensity during the gesture that is below the intensity threshold, Document 1 2416 is displayed in application window 2414, as shown in FIG. 5C. In response to the detection of the gesture that includes the increase in intensity of contact 2432 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2432 had a maximum intensity during the gesture that is below the intensity threshold, Document 1 2416 is displayed in application window 2414, as shown in FIG. 5Q. In some embodiments, the respective electronic document is (2510) displayed in the new window of the respective application after detecting liftoff of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, Document 1 2416 is displayed in application window 2414 after detecting liftoff of contact 2412 as shown in FIG. 5C (or after liftoff of contact 2432, as shown in FIG. 5Q).

In response (2506) to detecting the gesture, in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays (2512) a preview of the respective electronic document without displaying a new application window of the respective application. For example, in response to the detection of the gesture that includes the increase in intensity of contact 2420 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2420 had reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays preview 2424 of Document 1 2416 in preview interface 2422, as shown in FIG. 5H. Similarly, in response to the detection of the gesture that includes the increase in intensity of contact 2434 and in accordance with the determination that contact 2434 had reached an intensity during the gesture that is above the intensity threshold, the device displays preview 2424 of Document 1 2416 in preview interface 2422, as shown in FIG. 5S.

In some embodiments, displaying the preview of the respective electronic document includes (2514) displaying an animation of the respective document icon transforming into the preview of the respective electronic document, and a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., the animation progresses at a speed determined by contact intensity or the animation progresses through a plurality of intermediate states that are mapped to particular intensity thresholds, so that as the user presses down harder the animation progresses further toward displaying the preview and if the user reduces the intensity of the contact, the animation progresses back toward displaying the icon). For example, FIGS. 5L-5O show an animation of icon 2408-1 transforming into preview interface 2422. The progression of the animation is, optionally, determined in accordance with the intensity of contact 2428. In some embodiments, the preview of the electronic document is (2516) displayed prior to detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surface. For example, FIGS. 5F-5H show preview 2424 displayed while contact 2420 is still detected on touch-sensitive surface 451.

In some embodiments, the device includes a preview application (e.g., Quick Look by Apple Inc., Gloobus Preview, or Windows Picture and Fax Viewer by Microsoft Inc.) for previewing documents associated with a plurality of different applications, the preview application is distinct from the respective application, and the preview of the electronic document is (2518) displayed in the preview application. For example, preview interface 2422 is an interface for a preview application, which is different from the application with which Document 1 2416 is associated.

In some embodiments, the respective application includes (2520) a plurality of document editing capabilities for editing the respective electronic document, and the preview application does not include a respective document editing capability of the plurality of document editing capabilities. For example, in the preview application content of the electronic document cannot be modified, whereas in the respective application, content of the electronic document can be modified. However, in some situations, the preview application provides limited document editing capabilities such as rotating, renaming, modifying metadata, etc. For example, Document 1 2416 displayed in application window 2414 in FIGS. 5C-5E and 5Q is, optionally, editable in accordance with the editing capabilities of the application with which Document 1 2416 is associated (e.g., a word processing document creation application), and preview 2424 in FIGS. 5H-5I, 5O and 5S is, optionally, read-only or editable in accordance with the editing capabilities of the preview application (e.g., a dedicated electronic document preview application) that is less than the editing capabilities of the application with which Document 1 2416 is associated.

In some embodiments, while detecting the contact on the touch-sensitive surface, the device determines (2522) that the contact has exceeded the respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In response to determining that the contact has exceeded the respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device changes (2524) an appearance of the document icon to indicate that a preview of the respective electronic document will be displayed in response to detecting an end of the gesture. For example, FIGS. 5K-5L show a gesture including an increase in intensity of contact 2428 detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. In FIG. 5L, contact 2428 is determined to exceed the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), and in response, the device changes the appearance of icon 2408-1 by reducing the size of icon 2408-1, as shown in FIG. 5L. In some embodiments, changing an appearance of the document icon includes (2526) displaying an animation of the document icon growing smaller, where a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with an intensity of the contact. As shown in FIG. 5L, for example, icon 2408-1 decreases in size. In some embodiments, how much icon 2408-1 decreases in size is, optionally, determined in accordance with the intensity of the contact 2428. In some embodiments, the device displays the icon gradually decreasing in size as the intensity of contact 2428 gradually increases through intensities above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

In some embodiments, after detecting the gesture, the device detects (2528) a subsequent gesture that corresponds to moving focus away from a representation of the electronic document. In response (2530) to detecting the subsequent gesture, in accordance with a determination that the representation of the electronic document is the new application window in which the electronic document was opened, the device maintains (2532) the electronic document in the new application window. For example, FIGS. 5D-5E show a gesture including movement of contact 2418 across the touch-sensitive surface and a subsequent increase in intensity of contact 2418 from an intensity below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), that is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. The gesture shown in FIGS. 5D-5E that includes the movement and increase in intensity of contact 2418 takes focus away from Document 1 2416 in application window 2414. However, in response to the detection of the gesture shown in FIGS. 5D-5E that includes the movement and increase in intensity of contact 2418, Document 1 2416 remains displayed in application window 2414, as shown in FIG. 5E, where Document 1 2416 is still displayed in application window 2414 after detecting a press input including the increase in intensity of contact 2418. In contrast, in some embodiments, in response to detecting the subsequent gesture (2530), in accordance with a determination that the representation of the electronic document is a preview of the electronic document, the device ceases (2534) to display the preview of the electronic document. For example, FIGS. 5I-5J show a tap gesture including detection of contact 2426 for less than a predefined time threshold detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. The tap gesture in Figure SI that includes contact 2426 takes focus away from preview 2424 in preview interface 2422. In response to the detecting the tap gesture that includes detection of contact 2426, the device ceases to display preview 2424, as shown in FIG. 5J.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in FIGS. 6A-6C have been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 2500 described above with respect to FIGS. 6A-6C. For example, the contacts, gestures, icons, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, and animations described above with reference to method 2500 optionally have one or more of the characteristics of the contacts, gestures, icons, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, and animations described herein with reference to other methods described herein. For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device 2600 configured in accordance with the principles of the various described embodiments. The functional blocks of the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the various described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 7 are, optionally, combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the various described embodiments. Therefore, the description herein optionally supports any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 7, an electronic device 2600 includes a display unit 2602 configured to display a plurality of document icons, including a respective document icon corresponding to a respective electronic document associated with a respective application; a touch-sensitive surface unit 2604 configured to receive gestures that include contacts; one or more sensor units 2605 configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604; and a processing unit 2606 coupled to the display unit 2602, the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604, and the sensor units 2605. In some embodiments, the processing unit 2606 includes a detecting unit 2608, a display enabling unit 2610, a maintaining unit 2612, a ceasing unit 2614, a determining unit 2616, and a changing unit 2618.

The processing unit 2606 is configured to: while a focus selector is over the respective document icon, detect a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604 (e.g., with the detecting unit 2608); and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination (e.g., with the determining unit 2616) that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, enable display of the electronic document in a new application window of the respective application (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2610); and in accordance with a determination (e.g., with the determining unit 2616) that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, enable display of a preview of the respective electronic document without enabling display of a new application window of the respective application (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2610).

In some embodiments, enabling display of the preview of the respective electronic document includes enabling display of an animation of the respective document icon transforming into the preview of the respective electronic document, and a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604 (e.g., with the display enabling unit 2610).

In some embodiments, the respective electronic document is displayed in the new window of the respective application after detecting liftoff of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604.

In some embodiments, the preview of the electronic document is displayed prior to detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604.

In some embodiments, the device includes a preview application for previewing documents associated with a plurality of different applications, the preview application is distinct from the respective application, and the preview of the electronic document is displayed in the preview application.

In some embodiments, the respective application includes a plurality of document editing capabilities for editing the respective electronic document, and the preview application does not include a respective document editing capability of the plurality of document editing capabilities.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2606 is configured to: after detecting the gesture, detect a subsequent gesture that corresponds to moving focus away from a representation of the electronic document (e.g., with the detecting unit 2608); and in response to detecting the subsequent gesture: in accordance with a determination that the representation of the electronic document is the new application window in which the electronic document was opened, maintain the electronic document in the new application window (e.g., with the maintaining unit 2612); and in accordance with a determination that the representation of the electronic document is a preview of the electronic document, cease to display the preview of the electronic document (e.g., with the ceasing unit 2614).

In some embodiments, the processing unit 2606 is configured to: while detecting the contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 2604, determine that the contact has exceeded the respective intensity threshold (e.g., with the determining unit 2616); and in response to determining that the contact has exceeded the respective intensity threshold, change an appearance of the document icon to indicate that a preview of the respective electronic document will be displayed in response to detecting an end of the gesture (e.g., with the changing unit 2618).

In some embodiments, changing an appearance of the document icon includes enabling display of an animation of the document icon growing smaller, wherein a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with an intensity of the contact.

The operations in the information processing methods described above are, optionally implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3) or application specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C are, optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B or FIG. 7. For example, detection operation 2504, and displaying operations 2508 and 2512 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, and event dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions 186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on the touch-sensitive surface (or whether rotation of the device) corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface, or rotation of the device from one orientation to another. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

Previewing Content

Many electronic devices have user interfaces for browsing content items, such as photos. The content items are, optionally, organized into multiple sets of items. In some methods, to preview the items within a set, a user would need to first select and open the desired set of items as in opening a folder, and then preview the items in the set. This adds additional steps to the previewing process and can make the process tedious if the user is previewing items in multiple sets. The embodiments below improve on these methods by enabling a user to preview items within a set in accordance with movement and intensity of a contact. In the embodiments below, the sets of items are represented by frames displayed in a user interface. The user, using a finger contact, positions a focus selector over a desired frame and moves the focus selector across the frame. As the focus selector moves across the frame, previews of the items are displayed in sequence within the frame. The user may press harder with the contact when a particular preview is displayed to increase the size of that particular preview, and reduce the intensity of the press with the contact to reduce the size of the preview back to the previous size.

FIGS. 8A-8W illustrate exemplary user interfaces for previewing content in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processes described below, including the processes in FIGS. 9A-9C. FIGS. 8A-8W include intensity diagrams that show the current intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface relative to a plurality of intensity thresholds including a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) and a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”). In some embodiments, operations similar to those described below with reference to “IT_(D)” are performed with reference to a different intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”).

FIG. 8A illustrates user interface 5700 for an application displayed on display 450 (e.g., display 340) of a device (e.g., device 300). User interface 5700 is, optionally, an interface for a content application, such as an image viewer application or a presentation application. One or more frames 5702 are displayed in user interface 5700. Each of the frames 5702 displayed in FIG. 8A corresponds to a set of multiple content items. The content items are, for example, photos or individual slides in a presentation. A set of multiple content items are, optionally, for example, a set of photos (e.g., a set of photos from a trip, a set of photos with a particular person as a subject, a set of photos with a common topic) or a presentation with multiple slides. For example, frame 5702-1 corresponds to content items 5704. Frame 5702-2 corresponds to content items 5706. Frame 5702-3 corresponds to content items 5708. Frame 5702-4 corresponds to content items 5710.

For each frame 5702 in FIG. 8A, preview 5707 (e.g., a thumbnail) of an item from the corresponding set is, optionally, displayed in the respective frame. For example, preview 5707 of item 5706-1 is displayed in frame 5702-2. Preview 5707 of item 5706-1 is, optionally, displayed at a size that fills up the entire frame 5702-2 (e.g., fill height or fill width of frame 5702-2, depending on the aspect ratio of item 5706-1), with the possibility that parts of preview 5707 of item 5706-1 is, optionally, cropped by the boundaries of frame 5702-2.

Cursor 5712 is displayed in user interface 5700. Cursor 5712 is an example of a focus selector. In FIG. 8A, cursor 5712 is positioned away from frames 5702. Contact 5714 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. A user is enabled to move contact 5714 on touch-sensitive surface 451 to move cursor 5712 to a position over frame 5702-2, as shown in FIG. 8B.

When cursor 5712 is positioned over frame 5702-2, a preview mode is, optionally, activated for frame 5702-2. While the preview mode for frame 5702-2 is activated, previews of items 5706 is, optionally, displayed in sequence, as described below. The previews are, optionally, displayed to fill up frame 5702-2 (with cropping as needed) or at their respective original aspect ratios (with letterboxing or pillarboxing as needed). Regardless of whether a preview is displayed to fill up frame 5702-2 or at the original aspect ratio, the size of the preview is constrained by the size of frame 5702-2 (hereinafter “frame size” for convenience) as defined by the boundaries of frame 5702-2. For example, FIG. 8B shows preview 5707 of item 5706-1 displayed in its original aspect ratio, at a size limited by the frame size.

While cursor 5712 is located over frame 5702-2, contact 5716 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. It should be appreciated that contact 5716 is, optionally, a continuation of contact 5714 without an intervening liftoff of contact 5714, or a new contact detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 after a liftoff of contact 5714.

While cursor 5712 is located over frame 5702-2, contact 5716 moves 5715 substantially (e.g., at most 20 degrees above or below the horizontal) laterally (e.g., from the right to the left, or vice versa) on touch-sensitive surface 451 in FIGS. 8B-8C. In response to detection of the substantially lateral movement 5715 of contact 5716, cursor 5712 moves across frame 5702-2 in a direction corresponding to movement 5715, and preview 5707 of item 5706-2 is displayed at a size limited by the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8C. Item 5706-2 is a next item from item 5706-1 within a sequence of items 5706. The sequence of items are, optionally, ordered by any suitable criterion or criteria, such as chronologically based on the date/time the image was taken or last modified, or alphabetically based on filename.

As contact 5716 continues to move laterally 5717, cursor 5712 continues to move in FIGS. 8C-8D, in response to movement 5717, across frame 5702-2 in accordance with movement 5717, and additional item(s) in the sequence of items 5706 are displayed. For example, FIG. 8D shows preview 5707 of item 5706-3, which is a next item from item 5706-2 in the sequence, displayed in frame 5702-2 in response to detection of continued lateral movement 5717 of contact 5716. It should be appreciated that the “next” item described above is, optionally, a previous or a subsequent item in the sequence of items, depending on the lateral direction of the movement of contact 5716 that moves cursor 5712 across frame 5702-2.

In some embodiments, the order in which the sequence of items is previewed depends on the position of the cursor relative to the right and left boundaries or edges of the frame. For example, items 5706 are, optionally, a chronologically ordered set of images, the left edge of frame 5702-2 corresponds to the beginning of the set, and the right edge of frame 5702-2 corresponds to the end of the set. As cursor 5712 is moved from right to left (or vice versa) across frame 5702-2, previews of items 5706 are displayed in chronological order based on the direction of movement. Thus, in FIGS. 8B-8D, with cursor 5712 starting nearer to the right edge of frame 5702-2, items 5706-1 through 5706-3, for which previews are displayed, are items that are in reverse chronological order within items 5706. Thus, in some embodiments, moving cursor 5712 from right to left within frame 5702-2 causes items 5706 to be scanned in reverse order, while moving cursor 5712 from left to right within frame 5702-2 causes items 5706 to be scanned in order.

FIG. 8D also shows contact 5716 ceasing to substantially move on touch-sensitive surface 451. While contact 5716 is substantially stationary on touch-sensitive surface 451, an increase in the intensity of contact 5716 is detected (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) to an intensity above IT_(D)), as shown in FIGS. 8E-8G. In response to detection of the increase in intensity of contact 5716, the size of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is increased to a size larger than the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8G. Preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is no longer limited by the frame size. In some embodiments, the size increase is, optionally, displayed as an animation. For example, an animation of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 expanding in size, an instant of which is shown in FIG. 8F, is, optionally, displayed. The animation optionally follows the increase in the intensity of contact 5716; the size of preview 5707 increases as the intensity of contact 5716 increases, as shown in FIGS. 8D-8G.

While preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed at the larger size, the intensity of contact 5716 is, optionally, decreased (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) to an intensity below IT_(L)), as shown in FIGS. 8H-8J. In response to detection of the decrease in intensity of contact 5716, the size of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is decreased back to the earlier size that was limited by the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8J. In some embodiments, the size decrease is, optionally, displayed as an animation. For example, an animation of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 contracting in size, an instant of which is shown in FIG. 8I, is, optionally, displayed. The animation optionally follows the decrease in the intensity of contact 5716; the size of preview 5707 decreases as the intensity of contact 5716 decreases, as shown in FIGS. 8H-8J.

In the description above, contact 5716, from movement 5715 through the decrease in intensity (FIG. 8B through FIG. 8J), is an unbroken contact. Thus, in some embodiments, contact 5716 is not lifted off from touch-sensitive surface 451 from the time of movement 5715 through the decrease in intensity.

In some embodiments, the decrease in intensity of contact 5716 includes a liftoff of contact 5716. For example, returning to, and continuing from FIG. 8H, while preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed at the larger size, a decrease in the intensity of contact 5716, including a liftoff of contact 5716, is detected, as shown in FIG. 8K. In response to the detection of the decrease in the intensity of contact 5716, including the liftoff of contact 5716, the size of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is decreased back to the earlier size that was limited by the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8L. In some embodiments an animation similar to that shown in FIGS. 8H-8J is displayed in response to detecting liftoff of contact 5716.

While preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed at the size larger than the frame size, as in FIG. 8G, contact 5716 is, optionally, moved laterally on touch-sensitive surface 451 by the user. For example, FIG. 8M shows preview 5707 of item 5706-3 displayed at the larger size, as in FIG. 8G. FIG. 8M shows contact 5716 moving 5718 rightward on touch-sensitive surface 451. In some embodiments, preview 5707 of item 5706-3 remains displayed at the larger size in response to detection of movement 5718 of contact 5716, as shown in FIG. 8N, where movement 5718 did not change the item being previewed. Thus, in some embodiments, while preview 5707 is displayed at the larger size, scanning or scrolling of previews of items 5706 at the larger size is not available.

In contrast, in some embodiments, in response to detection of movement 5718 of contact 5716 in FIG. 8M, cursor 5712 moves across frame 5702-2 in accordance with movement 5718, and display of preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is replaced with display of preview 5707 of item 5706-2, as shown in FIG. 8O. Thus, in these embodiments, previews of items 5706 are, optionally, scanned or scrolled while displayed at the larger size like previews of items 5706 are, optionally, scanned within frame 5702-2, as described above with reference to FIGS. 8B-8D.

FIGS. 8P-8W illustrates an example of the user interfaces described above implemented on a device (e.g., device 100) with a touch screen 112. FIG. 8P illustrates user interface 5730 for an application displayed on touch screen 112 of a device (e.g., device 100). User interface 5730 is, optionally, an interface for a content application, such as an image viewer application or a presentation application. One or more frames 5732 are displayed in user interface 5730. Each frame 5732 in FIG. 8P corresponds to a set of multiple content items. The content items are, for example, photos or individual slides in a presentation. A set of multiple content items are, optionally, a set of photos or a presentation with multiple slides. For example, frame 5732-1 corresponds to content items 5734. Frame 5732-2 corresponds to content items 5736. Frame 5732-3 corresponds to content items 5738. Frame 5732-4 corresponds to content items 5740.

For each frame 5732 in FIG. 8P, a preview (e.g., a thumbnail) of an item from the corresponding set is, optionally, displayed in the respective frame. For example, preview 5737 of item 5736-1 is displayed in frame 5732-2. Preview 5737 of item 5736-1 is, optionally, displayed at a size that fills up the entire frame 5732-2 (e.g., fill height or fill width of frame 5732-2, depending on the aspect ratio of item 5736-1), with the possibility that parts of preview 5737 of item 5736-1 are, optionally, cropped off by the boundaries of frame 5732-2.

Contact 5742 is detected on touch screen 112 over frame 5732-2. In response to detection of contact 5742 over frame 5732-2, a preview mode is, optionally, activated for frame 5732-2, as shown in FIG. 8Q. While the preview mode for frame 5732-2 is activated, previews of items 5736 are, optionally, displayed in sequence, as described below. The previews are, optionally, displayed to fill up frame 5732-2 (with cropping as needed) or at their respective original aspect ratios (with letterboxing or pillarboxing as needed). Regardless of whether a preview is displayed to fill up frame 5732-2 or at the original aspect ratio, the size of the preview is constrained by the size of frame 5732-2 (hereinafter “frame size” for convenience) as defined by the boundaries of frame 5732-2. For example, FIG. 8Q shows preview 5737 of item 5736-1 displayed in its original aspect ratio, at a size limited by the frame size.

While contact 5742 is located over frame 5732-2, contact 5742 moves 5744 substantially (e.g., at most 20 degrees above or below the horizontal) laterally (e.g., from the right to the left, or vice versa) on touch screen 112. In response to detection of the substantially lateral movement of contact 5742, preview 5737 of item 536-2 is displayed at a size limited by the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8R. Item 536-2 is a next item from item 5736-1 within a sequence of items 5736. The sequence of items is, optionally, ordered by any suitable criterion or criteria, such as chronologically based on the date/time the image was taken or last modified, or alphabetically based on filename.

As contact 5742 continues to move laterally 5746, additional item(s) in the sequence of items 5736 are displayed. For example, FIG. 8S shows preview 5737 of item 5736-3, which is a next item from item 5736-2 in the sequence, displayed in frame 5732-2 in response to detection of continued lateral movement 5744 of contact 5742. It should be appreciated that the “next” item described above is, optionally, a previous or a subsequent item in the sequence of items, depending on the lateral direction of the movement of contact 5742 across frame 5732-2.

FIG. 8S also shows contact 5742 ceasing to substantially move on touch screen 112. While contact 5742 is substantially stationary on touch screen 112, an increase in the intensity of contact 5742 (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) to an intensity above IT_(D)) is detected, as shown in FIGS. 8S-8U. In response to detection of the increase in intensity of contact 5742, the size of preview 5737 of item 5736-3 is increased to a size larger than the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8U.

While preview 5737 of item 5736-3 is displayed at the larger size, the intensity of contact 5742 is decreased (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) to an intensity below IT_(L)), as shown in FIG. 8U-8W. In response to detection of the decrease in intensity of contact 5742, the size of preview 5737 of item 5736-3 is decreased back to the earlier size that was limited by the frame size, as shown in FIG. 8W.

FIGS. 9A-9C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 5800 of previewing content in accordance with some embodiments. The method 5800 is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 5800 are, optionally, combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 5800 provides an intuitive way to preview content. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when previewing content, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to preview content faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

The device displays (5802) a frame for previewing content, where the frame corresponds to a plurality of content items (e.g., digital photographs, videos, or other images). In some embodiments, the device displays (5804) a plurality of frames for previewing content, where each frame of the plurality of frames corresponds to a different plurality of content items (e.g., each frame of the plurality of frames corresponds to an album or event including a plurality of photos or videos). For example, FIG. 8A shows frames 5702 displayed in user interface 5700. Frame 5702-1 corresponds to content items 5704. Frame 5702-2 corresponds to content items 5706. Frame 5702-3 corresponds to content items 5708. Frame 5702-4 corresponds to content items 5710. As another example, FIG. 8P shows frames 5732 displayed in user interface 5730. Frame 5732-1 corresponds to content items 5734. Frame 5732-2 corresponds to content items 5736. Frame 5732-3 corresponds to content items 5738. Frame 5732-4 corresponds to content items 5740.

The device detects (5806) movement of a contact (e.g., a finger contact) across the touch-sensitive surface. FIGS. 8B-8D, for example, shows movement 5715 and 5717 of contact 5716 detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. FIGS. 8Q-8S shows movement 5744 and 5746 of contact 5742 detected on touch screen 112. The device moves (5808) a focus selector (e.g., cursor 5712 in FIGS. 8A-8O or contact 5742 in FIGS. 8P-8W) across the frame in accordance with the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface. In FIGS. 8B-8D, in response to movement 5715 and 5717 of contact 5716 on touch-sensitive surface 451, cursor 5712, positioned over frame 5702-2, is moved across frame 5702-2 in accordance with movement 5715 and 5717. In FIGS. 8Q-8S, in response to movement 5744 and 5746 of contact 5742 on touch screen 112, contact 5742 is detected as moving across frame 5732-2 in accordance with movement 5744 and 5746. In FIGS. 8P-8Q, the position of contact 5742 on touch screen 112 is an analogue to the position of a cursor on a separate touch-sensitive surface.

The device sequentially displays (5810), in the frame, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame, wherein a size of the previews is constrained to a size of the frame (e.g., scanning through a chronologically organized set of photos from a beginning of the set to the end of the set where the left edge of the frame is mapped to the beginning of the set and the right side of the frame is mapped to the end of the set). In FIGS. 8B-8D, previews 5707 of items 5706-1, 5706-2 and 5706-3 are displayed in sequence in accordance with movement of cursor 5712 across frame 5702-2, where the sizes of previews 5707 is limited by the size of frame 5702-2. In FIGS. 8Q-8S, previews 5737 of items 5736-1, 5736-2 and 5736-3 are displayed in sequence in accordance with movement of contact 5742 across frame 5732-2, where the sizes of previews 5737 is limited by the size of frame 5732-2.

While a respective preview of a respective content item is displayed in the frame at a first size, the device detects (5812) an increase in intensity of the contact. For example, in FIGS. 8E-8G, while preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed, an increase in the intensity of contact 5716 (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8E to an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8G) is detected. As another example, in FIG. 8S-8U, while preview 5737 of item 5736-3 is displayed, an increase in the intensity of contact 5742 (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8S to an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8U) is detected.

In response to detecting the increase in intensity of the contact, the device increases (5814) the size of the respective preview to a second size larger than the size of the frame. FIG. 8G, for example, shows preview 5707 of item 5706-3 increased to a size larger than the size of frame 5702-2 in response to detection of the increase in the intensity of contact 5716 (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8E to an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8G). As another example, FIG. 8U shows preview 5737 of item 5736-3 increased to a size larger than the size of frame 5732-2 in response to detection of the increase in the intensity of contact 5742 (e.g., from an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8S to an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8U). While the frames in FIGS. 8B-8G and FIGS. 8Q-8U are shown as being substantially smaller than the display, in some situations the frames will be larger (e.g., a size corresponding to half or three quarters of the display) and the respective preview will have a correspondingly larger size that is, in some circumstances, a “full size” of the content—sometimes called a “native resolution” of the content. In such situations, the first size will correspond to a full size of the content, while the second size will correspond to an enlarged or “zoomed in” size of the content that is larger than the “full size” of the content.

In some embodiments, increasing the size of the respective preview includes (5816) displaying an animation of the respective preview increasing in size in accordance with the intensity of the contact (e.g., the respective preview increases in size at a rate based on the intensity of the contact, or the respective preview is enlarged to a size corresponding to the current intensity of the contact). For example, the increase in the size of preview 5707 from FIG. 8E through FIG. 8G is, optionally, animated, and the animation optionally follows the increase in the intensity of contact 5716, as shown in FIGS. 8E-8G.

While displaying the respective preview at the second size, the device detects (5818) a decrease in intensity of the contact. For example, FIG. 8H shows detection of a decrease in the intensity of contact 5716 (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8H to an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8J) while preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed at the larger size, and FIG. 8V shows detection of a decrease in the intensity of contact 5742 (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8U to an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8W) while preview 5737 of item 5736-3 is displayed at the larger size.

In some embodiments, the contact is (5820) a single unbroken contact from a point in time when the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface is detected to a point in time when the decrease in intensity of the contact is detected. For example, contact 5716 as depicted in FIGS. 8B-8H, from detection of movement 5715 to detection of the decrease in the intensity of contact 5716, is unbroken. Contact 5742 as depicted in FIGS. 8Q-8V, from detection of movement 5744 to detection of the decrease in the intensity of contact 5742, is unbroken.

In some embodiments, detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact includes (5822) detecting liftoff of the contact. For example, FIGS. 8H and 8K-8L show a liftoff of contact 5716 detected as a decrease in the intensity of contact 5716, and in response decreasing the size of preview 5707 of item 5706-3.

In some embodiments, detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact includes (5824) detecting a decrease in intensity of the contact while continuing to detect the contact on the touch-sensitive surface. FIGS. 8H-8J, for example, shows detection of the decrease in the intensity of contact 5716 (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8H to an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8J) while contact 5716 continues to be detected on touch-sensitive surface 451. FIGS. 8U-8W shows detection of the decrease in the intensity of contact 5742 (e.g., from an intensity above IT_(D) in FIG. 8U to an intensity below IT_(L) in FIG. 8W) while contact 5742 continues to be detected on touch screen 112.

In response to detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact, the device reduces (5826) the size of the respective preview to the first size. For example, FIG. 8J shows preview 5707 of item 5706-3 reduced back to the size limited by the size of frame 5702-2 in response to detection of the decrease in intensity of contact 5716, and FIG. 8W shows preview 5737 of item 5736-3 reduced back to the size limited by the size of frame 5732-2 in response to detection of the decrease in intensity of contact 5742.

In some embodiments, reducing the size of the respective preview includes (5828) displaying an animation of the respective preview decreasing in size in accordance with the intensity of the contact (e.g., the respective preview decreases in size at a rate based on the intensity of the contact, or the respective preview shrinks to a size corresponding to the current intensity of the contact). For example, the decrease in the size of preview 5707 from FIG. 8H through FIG. 8J is, optionally, animated, and the animation optionally follows the decrease in the intensity of contact 5716.

In some embodiments, the device detects (5830) additional movement of the contact corresponding to lateral movement of the focus selector on the display. For example, while cursor 5712 is positioned over frame 5702-2, contact 5716 optionally moves laterally, as in movement 5717 or 5718, as shown in FIGS. 8B-8D, 8M-8N.

In response (5832) to detecting the additional movement of the contact, in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the first size (e.g., while the contact is below a respective intensity threshold), the device ceases (5834) to display the respective preview and sequentially displays, at the first size, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame. For example, when cursor 5712 is moved across frame 5702-2 while preview 5707 of an item 5706 is displayed at a size limited by the frame size, previews of other items 5706 are displayed sequentially, as in the sequential display of previews of items 5706-1, 5706-2 and 5706-3 shown in FIGS. 8B-8D.

In contrast, in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the second size (e.g., while the contact is above a respective intensity threshold), the device maintains (5836) display of the respective preview on the display. For example, when cursor 5712 is moved across frame 5702-2, in accordance with movement 5718 of contact 5716, while preview 5707 of item 5706-3 is displayed at the larger size (FIG. 8M), display of preview 5707 at the larger size is, optionally, maintained, as shown in FIG. 8N.

Alternatively, in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the second size (e.g., while the contact is above a respective intensity threshold), the device ceases (5838) to display the respective preview and sequentially displays, at the second size, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across a region of the display corresponding to the frame (e.g., a region of the display that where the focus selector was displayed prior to the respective preview being enlarged to the second size). For example, in accordance with movement 5718 of contact 5716, preview 5707 of previous or subsequent items in the sequence, such as item 5706-2, is, optionally, displayed at the larger size, as shown in FIG. 8O.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in FIGS. 9A-9C have been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 5800 described above with respect to FIGS. 9A-9C. For example, the contacts, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, animations described above with reference to method 5800 optionally have one or more of the characteristics of the contacts, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, animations described herein with reference to other methods described herein. For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 10 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device 5900 configured in accordance with the principles of the various described embodiments. The functional blocks of the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the various described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 10 are, optionally, combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the various described embodiments. Therefore, the description herein optionally supports any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 10, an electronic device 5900 includes a display unit 5902 configured to display a frame for previewing content, wherein the frame corresponds to a plurality of content items; a touch-sensitive surface unit 5904 configured to receive contacts; one or more sensor units 5905 configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904; and a processing unit 5906 coupled to the display unit 5902, the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904, and the sensor units 5905. In some embodiments, the processing unit 5906 includes a detecting unit 5908, a moving unit 5910, a display enabling unit 5912, an increasing unit 5914, a reducing unit 5916, a ceasing unit 5918, and a maintaining unit 5920.

The processing unit 5906 is configured to detect movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904 (e.g., with the detecting unit 5908); move a focus selector across the frame in accordance with the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904 (e.g., with the moving unit 5910); enable sequential display of, in the frame, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame, wherein a size of the previews is constrained to a size of the frame (e.g., with the display enabling unit 5912); while a respective preview of a respective content item is displayed in the frame at a first size, detect an increase in intensity of the contact (e.g., with the detecting unit 5908); in response to detecting the increase in intensity of the contact, increase the size of the respective preview to a second size larger than the size of the frame (e.g., with the increasing unit 5914); while displaying the respective preview at the second size, detect a decrease in intensity of the contact (e.g., with the detecting unit 5908); and in response to detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact, reduce the size of the respective preview to the first size (e.g., with the reducing unit 5916).

In some embodiments, the contact is a single unbroken contact from a point in time when the movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904 is detected to a point in time when the decrease in intensity of the contact is detected.

In some embodiments, detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact includes detecting liftoff of the contact.

In some embodiments, detecting the decrease in intensity of the contact includes detecting a decrease in intensity of the contact while continuing to detect the contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 5904.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 5906 is configured to enable display of a plurality of frames for previewing content, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames corresponds to a different plurality of content items (e.g., with the display enabling unit 5912).

In some embodiments, increasing the size of the respective preview includes displaying an animation of the respective preview increasing in size in accordance with the intensity of the contact.

In some embodiments, reducing the size of the respective preview includes displaying an animation of the respective preview decreasing in size in accordance with the intensity of the contact.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 5906 is configured to: detect additional movement of the contact corresponding to lateral movement of the focus selector on the display unit 5902 (e.g., with the detecting unit 5908); and in response to detecting the additional movement of the contact: in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the first size, cease to display the respective preview (e.g., with ceasing unit 5918) and enable sequential display of, at the first size, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame (e.g., with the display enabling unit 5912); and in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the second size, maintain display of the respective preview on the display (with the maintaining unit 5920).

In some embodiments, the processing unit 5906 is configured to: detect additional movement of the contact corresponding to lateral movement of the focus selector on the display unit 5902 (e.g., with the detecting unit 5908); and in response to detecting the additional movement of the contact: in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the first size, cease to display the respective preview (e.g., with ceasing unit 5918) and enable sequential display of, at the first size, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across the frame (e.g., with the display enabling unit 5912); and in accordance with detecting the additional movement while displaying the respective preview at the second size, cease to display the respective preview (e.g., with ceasing unit 5918) and enable sequential display of, at the second size, previews of respective content items in the plurality of content items in accordance with the movement of the focus selector across a region of the display unit 5902 corresponding to the frame (e.g., with the display enabling unit 5912).

The operations in the information processing methods described above are, optionally implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3) or application specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C are, optionally implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B or FIG. 10. For example, detection operations 5806, 5812, and 5818, moving operation 5808, displaying operation 5810, increasing operation 5814, and reducing operation 5826 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects a contact on touch screen 112, and event dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions 186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on the touch-sensitive surface (or whether rotation of the device) corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface, or rotation of the device from one orientation to another. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

Displaying User Interface Objects Corresponding to an Application

At any one time, a user may have multiple windows for any one application opened, and not all of them are displayed. Some of these windows or documents are, optionally, minimized or hidden by other windows. Further, an application may have a recently opened documents history. In some methods, a user keeps track of the multiple windows by looking at a taskbar or opening a task list, both of which are, optionally, hidden at first. To look at a recently opened documents history for an application, the user has to open the application. These methods add additional steps for the user. The embodiments described below improve on these methods by providing a more efficient way to review currently opened windows and a history of recently opened documents. The user moves a focus selector over an application icon corresponding to the desired application and performs a gesture with a contact with an intensity that peaks above a threshold. In response, reduced-scale representations of currently opened windows for the application or of recently opened documents are displayed. Thus, the user is able to get a glance of currently opened windows and recently opened documents.

FIGS. 11A-11P illustrate exemplary user interfaces for displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processes described below, including the processes in FIGS. 12A-12B. FIGS. 11A-11P include intensity diagrams that show the current intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface relative to a plurality of intensity thresholds including a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) and a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In some embodiments, operations similar to those described below with reference to “IT_(D)” are performed with reference to “a different intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”).

FIG. 11A illustrates user interface 6000 (e.g., a graphical user interface desktop) displayed on display 450 (e.g., display 340) of a device (e.g., device 300). User interface 6000 includes one or more application icons 6002 displayed in predefined region 6004 (e.g., an application launch icon tray/dock/springboard) in user interface 6000. Each of application icons 6002 corresponds to a respective application. For example, application icon 6002-2 corresponds to the application “App 2,” and application icon 6002-1 corresponds to the application “App 1.” Cursor 6006 (for example, a mouse pointer) is also displayed in user interface 6000. Cursor 6006 is an example of a focus selector.

In FIG. 11A, a gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6008 from an intensity below a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., touchpad 355, FIG. 3) of the device while cursor 6006 is displayed over application icon 6002-2. One or more sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 determine that the maximum intensity of contact 6008 during the press input is below a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). The gesture ends with a reduction in intensity of contact 6008 below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), as shown in FIG. 11B. In some circumstances, the gesture ends with a liftoff of contact 6008.

In response to the detection of the gesture, and in accordance with contact 6008 having a maximum intensity below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), application window 6010 of App 2 is displayed when the end of the gesture is detected, as shown in FIG. 11B. Application window 6010 corresponds to application App 2, which corresponds to application icon 6002-2. Application window 6010 is, optionally, a new application window for App 2 (e.g., App 2 had no open windows when the end of the gesture that is performed with contact 6008 is detected, and thus a new application window is opened).

FIG. 11C illustrates application icons 6002, cursor 6006, etc. displayed in user interface 6000, as in FIG. 11A. A gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6012 from an intensity below a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 6006 is displayed over application icon 6002-2. The sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 determine that the intensity of contact 6012 during the press input goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). The gesture ends with a reduction in intensity of contact 6012 below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), as shown in FIG. 11D. In some circumstances, the gesture ends with a liftoff of contact 6012. In response to the detection of gesture, and in accordance with contact 6012 having an intensity that goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture, one or more user interface objects corresponding to App 2 are displayed when the end of the gesture is detected. In some embodiments, the user interface objects are reduced-scale representations 6014 (e.g., thumbnails) of currently open (doesn't have to be currently displayed) application windows for App 2, as shown in FIG. 11D. The user optionally moves cursor 6006 to a position over one of these reduced-scale representations 6014 and perform a gesture (for example, a tap gesture) on touch-sensitive surface 451 to select the reduced-scale representation 6014 over which cursor 6006 is positioned. In response to the detection of that gesture corresponding to selection of one of the reduced-scale representations 6014, the application window corresponding to the selected reduced-scale representation is displayed on display 450.

In some embodiments, the user interface objects that are displayed in accordance with the contact having an intensity that was above the predefined threshold are reduced-scale representations of recently opened documents for the application, instead of reduced-scale representations of currently open application windows such as representations 6014. As used herein, documents include images, text documents, word processor documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, video clips, audio clips, and so on. Also, in some embodiments, the user interface objects are, optionally, displayed during the gesture, while the contact is still detected on touch-sensitive surface 451, instead of being displayed when the end of the gesture is detected (with liftoff of the contact or a reduction in intensity of the contact below IT_(L)), as in FIG. 11D. For example, FIG. 11E illustrates application icons 6002, cursor 6006, etc. displayed in user interface 6000, as in FIG. 11A. FIGS. 11E-11H illustrate detection of a gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6016 from an intensity below a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) in FIG. 11E to an intensity above a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) in FIG. 11H. The gesture performed with contact 6016 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 6006 is displayed over application icon 6002-2 corresponding to App 2. The sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 determine that the intensity of contact 6016 peaked above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). Contact 6016 is maintained on touch-sensitive surface 451. In response to the detection of the gesture, and in accordance with contact 6016 having an intensity that goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture, reduced-scale representations 6018 (e.g., thumbnails) of recently opened documents for App 2 are displayed, as shown in FIGS. 11F-11H.

In some embodiments, the display of representations 6018 includes an animation. For example, initially representation 6018-1 is displayed in proximity of application icon 6002-2, as shown in FIG. 11F. As the animation proceeds, representation 6018-1 moves upward and representation 6018-2 is displayed in proximity of application icon 6002-2, as shown in FIG. 11G. Then representations 6018-1 moves upward, 6018-2 move upward toward representation 6018-1, and representation 6018-3 is displayed in proximity of application icon 6002-2, as shown in FIG. 11H. Representations 6018-1 thru 6018-3 form an array above icon 6002-2. In some embodiments, the animation progresses in accordance with an intensity of contact 6016, as shown in FIGS. 11F-11G, where the representations 6018 appear and move upwards as the intensity of contact 6016 increases toward the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

The user optionally moves cursor 6006 to a position over one of these reduced-scale representations 6018 and performs a gesture (for example, a tap gesture) on touch-sensitive surface 451 to select the reduced-scale representation 6018 over which cursor 6006 is positioned. In response to that gesture, the document corresponding to the selected representation 6018 is opened and displayed on display 450 in an application window for App 2 (the application corresponding to icon 6002-2).

In some embodiments, user interface objects corresponding to an application, such as reduced-scale representations of application windows or recently opened documents, are, optionally, displayed in predefined region 6004 (e.g., an application launch region such as an application dock). FIGS. 11I-11L illustrate detection of a gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6020 from an intensity below a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) in FIG. 11I to an intensity above a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) in FIG. 11L. The gesture performed with contact 6020 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 6006 is displayed over application icon 6002-2 corresponding to App 2. The sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive surface 451 determine that the intensity of contact 6020 peaked above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). Contact 6020 is maintained on touch-sensitive surface 451. In response to the detection of the gesture, and in accordance with contact 6020 having an intensity that goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture, reduced-scale representations 6022 (e.g., thumbnails) of recently opened documents for App 2 are displayed, as shown in FIGS. 11J-11L.

In some embodiments, the display of representations 6022 includes an animation. For example, icons 6002 are animated in a way that give an illusion of shifting backwards into display 450. With icons 6002 shifted backward, representation 6022-4 is displayed in predefined region 6004 in proximity of application icon 6002-2, as shown in FIG. 11J. As the animation proceeds, representation 6022-4 moves toward the right end of predefined region 6004 and representation 6022-3 is displayed in predefined region 6004 in proximity of application icon 6002-2, as shown in FIG. 11K. Then representations 6022-3 moves toward representation 6022-4, and the other representations 6022-2 and 6022-1 are displayed in predefined region 6004 in a similar manner. The animation ends with representations 6022 displayed in region 6004 in front of application icons 6002, as shown in FIG. 11L. In some embodiments, the animation progresses in accordance with an intensity of contact 6020, as shown in FIGS. 11I-11L, where the representations 6022 appear and move along the predefined region 6004 as the intensity of contact 6016 increases toward the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

It should be appreciated that the ways in which the user interface objects are displayed, as described above with reference to FIGS. 11A-11L, are merely exemplary. The user interface objects are, optionally, displayed in other sizes, positions, and so on.

FIGS. 11M-11P illustrate an example of the user interfaces described above, with reference to FIGS. 11A-11L, implemented on a device (e.g., device 100) with a touch-sensitive display (e.g., touch screen 112). FIG. 11M illustrates user interface 6030 (e.g., a graphical user interface desktop) displayed on touch screen 112 of a device (e.g., device 100). User interface 6030 includes one or more application icons 6032 displayed in predefined region 6034 (e.g., an application launch icon tray/dock/springboard) in user interface 6030. In some embodiments, each of application icons 6034 corresponds to a respective application. For example, application icon 6032-2 corresponds to the application “App 2,” and application icon 6032-1 corresponds to the application “App 1.”

In FIG. 11M, a gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6038 from an intensity below a light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) to an intensity above the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”) is detected on touch-sensitive display 112 of the device at a location corresponding to application icon 6032-2. One or more sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive display 112 determine that the maximum intensity of contact 6038 during the press input is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). The gesture ends with a reduction in intensity of contact 6038 below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), as shown in FIG. 11N. In some circumstances, the gesture ends with a liftoff of contact 6038.

In response to the detection of the gesture, and in accordance with contact 6038 having a maximum intensity below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), application window 6040 of App 2 is displayed when the end of the gesture is detected. Application window 6040 corresponds to application App 2, which corresponds to application icon 6032-2. Application window 6040 is, optionally, a new application window for App 2 (e.g., App 2 had no open windows when the end of the gesture performed with contact 6038 is detected, and thus a new application window is opened).

FIG. 11O illustrates application icons 6032, etc. displayed in user interface 6030, as in FIG. 11M. A gesture that includes a press input that corresponds to an increase in intensity of contact 6042 from an intensity below a deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) to an intensity above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) is detected on touch-sensitive display 112 at a location corresponding to application icon 6032-2. The sensors for detecting the intensity of contacts on touch-sensitive display 112 determine that the intensity of contact 6042 during the press input goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). The gesture ends with a reduction in intensity of contact 6042 below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(L)”), as shown in FIG. 11P. In some circumstances, the gesture ends with a liftoff of contact 6042.

In response to the detection of gesture, and in accordance with contact 6042 having an intensity that goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture, one or more user interface objects corresponding to App 2 are displayed when the end of the gesture is detected. In some embodiments, the user interface objects are reduced-scale representations 6044 (e.g., thumbnails) of currently open (doesn't have to be currently displayed) application windows for App 2, as shown in FIG. 11P. The user optionally performs a gesture (e.g., a tap gesture) on touch-sensitive display 112 at a location corresponding to one of these reduced-scale representations 6044 to select the reduced-scale representation 6044 over which the gesture is performed. In response to the detection of that gesture corresponding to selection of one of the reduced-scale representations 6044, the application window corresponding to the selected reduced-scale representation is displayed on touch-sensitive display 112.

FIGS. 12A-12B are flow diagrams illustrating a method 6100 of displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application in accordance with some embodiments. The method 6100 is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 6100 are, optionally, combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 6100 provides an intuitive way to display user interface objects corresponding to an application. The method reduces the cognitive burden on a user when displaying user interface objects corresponding to an application, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to display user interface objects corresponding to an application faster and more efficiently conserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

The device displays (6102) a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons includes a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application. FIGS. 11A-11L show, for example, application icons 6002 displayed on display 450. Application icon 6002-2 corresponds to application “App 2.” As another example, FIGS. 11M-11P show application icons 6032 displayed on touch-sensitive display 112. Application icon 6032-2 corresponds to application “App 2.”

While a focus selector (e.g., cursor 6006 in FIG. 11A or contact 6038 in FIG. 11M) is over the respective application icon, the device detects (6104) a gesture that includes a contact (e.g., a finger contact) on the touch-sensitive surface. As shown in FIG. 11A, for example, a gesture that includes contact 6008 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 6006 is over application icon 6002-2. As another example, in FIG. 11C, a gesture that includes contact 6012 is detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 while cursor 6006 is over application icon 6002-2. In FIG. 11M, a gesture that includes contact 6038 is detected on touch-sensitive display 112 at a location over application icon 6032-2.

In response to detecting the gesture (6106), in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays (6108) an application window of the respective application. For example, in FIG. 11A, contact 6008 is determined to have a maximum intensity during the gesture that is below the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In accordance with that determination, in response to detecting the gesture performed with contact 6008, application window 6010 of App 2 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 11B. In some embodiments, the application window is a new application window that was not displayed on the display prior to detecting the contact (e.g., the new application window was not displayed on the display immediately prior to detecting the contact) (6110). For example, the new application window is an application window that was created by the application in response to detecting the gesture. For example, when a user opens a web browser, a new browser window is typically opened. Similarly, when a user opens a word processing application, a blank word processing document is typically opened. As another example, when a user requests that an image be opened, a new window including the image is typically opened. For example, application window 6010 (FIG. 11B) or 6040 (FIG. 11N) is, optionally, new application window if there were no open (displayed or not) windows for App 2 prior to detection of the gesture performed with contact 6008 or 6038, respectively.

In contrast, in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”), the device displays (6112) a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application. In FIG. 11C, the intensity of contact 6012 is determined to have reached above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture. In accordance with that determination, in response to detecting the gesture performed with contact 6012, one or more user interface objects corresponding to App 2 (e.g., reduced-scale representations 6014 of application windows for App 2) are displayed, as shown in FIG. 11D. As another example, reduced-scale representations 6018 (FIG. 11H) or 6022 (FIG. 11L) of recently opened documents for App 2 are also examples of user interface objects displayed in response to detection of a gesture that includes a contact (e.g., contact 6016, FIG. 11E; contact 6020, FIG. 11I) with an intensity that goes above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”).

As another example, in FIG. 11M, contact 6038 is determined to have a maximum intensity during the gesture that is below deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”). In accordance with that determination, in response to detecting the gesture performed with contact 6038, application window 6040 of App 2 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 11N. In FIG. 11O, the intensity of contact 6042 is determined to have reached above the deep press intensity threshold (e.g., “IT_(D)”) during the gesture. In accordance with that determination, in response to detecting the gesture performed with contact 6042, one or more user interface objects corresponding to App 2 (e.g., reduced-scale representations 6044 of application windows for App 2) are displayed, as shown in FIG. 11P.

In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects includes (6114) reduced-scale representations of currently open application windows for the application. (e.g., thumbnail images of the currently open application windows). For example, the user interface objects displayed in response to the detection of the gesture performed with contact 6012 are reduced-scale representations 6014 of currently open application windows for App 2 (FIG. 11D). As another example, the user interface objects displayed in response to the detection of the gesture performed with contact 6042 are reduced-scale representations 6044 of currently open application windows for App 2 (FIG. 11P). In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects include (6116) reduced-scale representations of recently opened documents for the respective application. (e.g., thumbnails of the first page or the current page of the recently opened documents). For example, the user interface objects displayed in response to the detection of the gesture performed with contact 6016 are reduced-scale representations 6018 of recently opened documents for App 2 (FIG. 11H).

In some embodiments, the plurality of application icons are displayed (6118) in a predefined region of the display (e.g., an application launch icon tray/dock/springboard) prior to detecting the gesture, and the plurality of user interface objects are displayed in the predefined region of the display. Application icons 6002 in FIGS. 11I-11L, for example, are displayed in predefined region 6004 prior to detection of a contact on touch-sensitive surface 451, and the user interface objects that correspond to the respective application (for example, representations 6022, FIG. 11L) are, optionally, displayed in predefined region 6004 as well. In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects are displayed (6120) in front of and at least partially overlapping one or more of the plurality of application icons in the predefined region of the display. For example, reduced-scale representations 6022 that correspond to the respective application (e.g., App 2 in FIG. 11L) are displayed in front of and partially overlapping application icons 6002.

In some embodiments, displaying the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application includes (6122) displaying an animation of the plurality of application icons shifting backward into the display (e.g., show the plurality of application icons getting smaller with a change in shading and position to provide the illusion that the application icons are moving backward into the display), and displaying the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application in a location on the display previously occupied by the plurality of application icons (e.g., display the user interface objects in front of the plurality of application icons). For example, FIGS. 11J-11L show instances in an animation of application icons 6002 shifting backwards and representations 6022 being displayed in the area that were occupied by application icons 6002.

In some embodiments, displaying the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application includes (6124), for a respective user interface object associated with the respective application, initially displaying the respective user interface object at a location proximate to the respective application icon (e.g., the respective user interface object appears near the respective application icon), and after initially displaying the respective user interface object, displaying an animation of the respective user interface object moving from the location proximate to the respective application icon to a location proximate to another user interface object in the plurality of user interface objects (e.g., after appearing near the respective application icon, the respective user interface object moves towards other previously displayed user interface objects). For example, successive thumbnails of recently opened documents appear near the application icon for the application to which they correspond and then move (e.g., fly over) to form an array of thumbnails in a predefined region of the display (e.g., the dock). For example, FIG. 11K shows representation 6022-3 displayed near application icon 6002-2. Representation 6022-3 moves toward representation 6022-4 and ends up near representation 6022-4, as shown in FIG. 11L.

In some embodiments, the application window of the respective application is displayed (6126) when an end of the gesture is detected (e.g., the application window is initially displayed immediately after detecting liftoff of the contact), and the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application are displayed during the gesture in response to detecting that the intensity of the contact exceeds the respective intensity threshold (e.g., the plurality of objects are initially displayed while still detecting the contact on the touch-sensitive surface). For example, application window 6010 in FIG. 11B is, optionally, displayed when contact 6008 is lifted off, and representations 6018 are displayed while contact 6016 is still detected on touch-sensitive surface 451 as shown in FIG. 11H.

In some embodiments, the application window of the respective application is displayed (6128) when an end of the gesture is detected (e.g., the application window is initially displayed immediately after detecting liftoff of the contact), and the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application are displayed when the end of the gesture is detected (e.g., the plurality of objects is initially displayed immediately after detecting liftoff of the contact). For example, application window 6010 in FIG. 11B is, optionally, displayed when contact 6008 is lifted off, and representations 6014 in FIG. 11D are, optionally, displayed when liftoff of contact 6012 is detected.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations in FIGS. 12A-12B have been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein are also applicable in an analogous manner to method 6100 described above with respect to FIGS. 12A-12B. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interface objects, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, animations described above with reference to method 6100 optionally has one or more of the characteristics of the contacts, gestures, user interface objects, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, animations described herein with reference to other methods described herein(e.g., those listed in paragraph [0043]. For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

In accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of an electronic device 6200 configured in accordance with the principles of the various described embodiments. The functional blocks of the device are, optionally, implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the various described embodiments. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in FIG. 13 are, optionally, combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the various described embodiments. Therefore, the description herein optionally supports any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein.

As shown in FIG. 13, an electronic device 6200 includes a display unit 6202 configured to display a plurality of application icons, where the plurality of application icons include a respective application icon corresponding to a respective application; a touch-sensitive surface unit 6204 configured to receive gestures including contacts; one or more sensor units 6205 configured to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface unit 6204; and a processing unit 6206 coupled to the display unit 6202, the touch-sensitive surface unit 6204 and the sensor units 6205. In some embodiments, the processing unit 6206 includes a detecting unit 6208, and a display enabling unit 6210.

The processing unit 6206 is configured to: while a focus selector is over the respective application icon, detect a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface unit 6204 (e.g., with the detecting unit 6208); and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that was below a respective intensity threshold, enable display of an application window of the respective application (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210); and in accordance with a determination that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, enable display of a plurality of user interface objects that correspond to the respective application (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210).

In some embodiments, the application window of the respective application is displayed when an end of the gesture is detected; and the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application are displayed during the gesture in response to detecting that the intensity of the contact exceeds the respective intensity threshold.

In some embodiments, the application window of the respective application is displayed when an end of the gesture is detected; and the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application are displayed when the end of the gesture is detected.

In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects includes reduced-scale representations of currently open application windows for the application.

In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects includes reduced-scale representations of recently opened documents for the respective application.

In some embodiments, the plurality of application icons are displayed in a predefined region of the display unit 6202 prior to detecting the gesture; and the plurality of user interface objects are displayed in the predefined region of the display unit 6202.

In some embodiments, the plurality of user interface objects are displayed in front of and at least partially overlapping one or more of the plurality of application icons in the predefined region of the display unit 6202.

In some embodiments, enabling display of the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application includes: enabling display of an animation of the plurality of application icons shifting backward into the display unit 6202 (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210); and enabling display of the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application in a location on the display unit 6202 previously occupied by the plurality of application icons (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210).

In some embodiments, enabling display of the plurality of user interface objects corresponding to the respective application includes, for a respective user interface object associated with the respective application: initially enabling display of the respective user interface object at a location proximate to the respective application icon (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210); and after initially enabling display of the respective user interface object, enabling display of an animation of the respective user interface object moving from the location proximate to the respective application icon to a location proximate to another user interface object in the plurality of user interface objects (e.g., with the display enabling unit 6210).

In some embodiments, the application window is a new application window that was not displayed on the display unit 6202 prior to detecting the contact.

The operations in the information processing methods described above are, optionally implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors (e.g., as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3) or application specific chips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B are, optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B or FIG. 13. For example, detection operation 6104, and displaying operations 6108 and 6112 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, and event dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application 136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 compares the event information to respective event definitions 186, and determines whether a first contact at a first location on the touch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update the application internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations have been described above is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that the various processes separately described herein can be combined with each other in different arrangements. For example, the contacts, user interface objects, tactile sensations, intensity thresholds, and/or focus selectors described above with reference to any one of the various processes separately described herein optionally have one or more of the characteristics of the contacts, gestures, user interface objects, tactile sensations, intensity thresholds, and focus selectors described herein with reference to one or more of the other methods described herein. For brevity, all of the various possible combinations are not specifically enumerated here, but it should be understood that the claims described above may be combined in any way that is not precluded by mutually exclusive claim features.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the various described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the various described embodiments and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various described embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, wherein the device includes one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface: displaying a user interface that includes a plurality of representations of content, including a respective representation of content corresponding to respective content associated with a respective application, wherein the respective representation of content is different from the respective content associated with the respective application; while a focus selector is over the respective representation of content, detecting a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a new application window, wherein the criteria for displaying the new application window do not require that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that met a respective intensity threshold in order for the criteria for displaying a new application window to be met, displaying the respective content in a new application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a preview, wherein the criteria for displaying the preview require that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, displaying a respective preview of the respective content without displaying a new application window of the respective application, wherein the respective preview of the respective content was not displayed prior to detecting the gesture and displaying the preview of the respective content includes: during a first portion of the gesture, in response to detecting the intensity of the contact increase from an intensity below the respective intensity threshold to an intensity above the respective intensity threshold, decreasing a size of a portion of the user interface relative to a remaining portion of the user interface, wherein:  the portion of the user interface further decreases in size as the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold; and  the change in size of the portion of the user interface indicates that the respective preview of the respective content will be displayed without displaying the new application window of the respective application; during a second portion of the gesture that is detected after the contact has reached an intensity that is above the respective intensity threshold, displaying the preview of the respective content; and during a third portion of the gesture that is detected while the contact continues to be detected on the touch-sensitive surface at an intensity that is below the respective intensity threshold, maintaining display of the preview of the respective content on the display.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the preview of the respective content includes displaying an animation of the respective representation of content transforming into the preview of the respective content, and a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with the intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective content is displayed in the new window of the respective application after detecting liftoff of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview of the respective content is displayed prior to detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the device includes a preview application for previewing documents associated with a plurality of different applications; the preview application is distinct from the respective application; and the preview of the content is displayed in the preview application.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the respective application includes a plurality of document editing capabilities for editing the respective content; and the preview application does not include a respective document editing capability of the plurality of document editing capabilities.
 7. An electronic device, comprising: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface; one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: displaying a user interface that includes a plurality of representations of content, including a respective representation of content corresponding to respective content associated with a respective application, wherein the respective representation of content is different from the respective content associated with the respective application; while a focus selector is over the respective representation of content, detecting a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a new application window, wherein the criteria for displaying the new application window do not require that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that met a respective intensity threshold in order for the criteria for displaying a new application window to be met, displaying the respective content in a new application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a preview, wherein the criteria for displaying the preview require that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, displaying a respective preview of the respective content without displaying a new application window of the respective application, wherein the respective preview of the respective content was not displayed prior to detecting the gesture and displaying the preview of the respective content includes: during a first portion of the gesture, in response to detecting the intensity of the contact increase from an intensity below the respective intensity threshold to an intensity above the respective intensity threshold, decreasing a size of a portion of the user interface relative to a remaining portion of the user interface, wherein:  the portion of the user interface further decreases in size as the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold; and  the change in size of the portion of the user interface indicates that the respective preview of the respective content will be displayed without displaying the new application window of the respective application; during a second portion of the gesture that is detected after the contact has reached an intensity that is above the respective intensity threshold, displaying the preview of the respective content; and during a third portion of the gesture that is detected while the contact continues to be detected on the touch-sensitive surface at an intensity that is below the respective intensity threshold, maintaining display of the preview of the respective content on the display.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein displaying the preview of the respective content includes displaying an animation of the respective representation of content transforming into the preview of the respective content, and a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with the intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the respective content is displayed in the new window of the respective application after detecting liftoff of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 10. The device of claim 7, wherein the preview of the respective content is displayed prior to detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 11. The device of claim 7, wherein: the device includes a preview application for previewing documents associated with a plurality of different applications; the preview application is distinct from the respective application; and the preview of the content is displayed in the preview application.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein: the respective application includes a plurality of document editing capabilities for editing the respective content; and the preview application does not include a respective document editing capability of the plurality of document editing capabilities.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a user interface that includes a plurality of representations of content, including a respective representation of content corresponding to respective content associated with a respective application, wherein the respective representation of content is different from the respective content associated with the respective application; while a focus selector is over the respective representation of content, detect a gesture that includes a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to detecting the gesture: in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a new application window, wherein the criteria for displaying the new application window do not require that the contact had a maximum intensity during the gesture that met a respective intensity threshold in order for the criteria for displaying a new application window to be met, display the respective content in a new application window of the respective application; and in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets criteria for displaying a preview, wherein the criteria for displaying the preview require that the contact reached an intensity during the gesture that was above the respective intensity threshold, display a respective preview of the respective content without displaying a new application window of the respective application, wherein the respective preview of the respective content was not displayed prior to detecting the gesture and displaying the preview of the respective content includes: during a first portion of the gesture, in response to detecting the intensity of the contact increase from an intensity below the respective intensity threshold to an intensity above the respective threshold, decreasing a size of a portion of the user interface relative to a remaining portion of the user interface, wherein: the portion of the user interface further decreases in size as the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold; and the change in size of the portion of the user interface indicates that the respective preview of the respective content will be displayed without displaying the new application window of the respective application; during a second portion of the gesture that is detected after the contact has reached an intensity that is above the respective intensity threshold, displaying the preview of the respective content; and during a third portion of the gesture that is detected while the contact continues to be detected on the touch-sensitive surface at an intensity that is below the respective intensity threshold, maintaining display of the preview of the respective content on the display.
 14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein displaying the preview of the respective content includes displaying an animation of the respective representation of content transforming into the preview of the respective content, and a progression of the animation is determined in accordance with the intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the respective content is displayed in the new window of the respective application after detecting liftoff of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.
 16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the preview of the respective content is displayed prior to detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surface.
 17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein: the device includes a preview application for previewing documents associated with a plurality of different applications; the preview application is distinct from the respective application; and the preview of the content is displayed in the preview application.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein: the respective application includes a plurality of document editing capabilities for editing the respective content; and the preview application does not include a respective document editing capability of the plurality of document editing capabilities.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein decreasing the size of the portion of the user interface relative to the remaining portion of the user interface includes decreasing the size of the respective representation of content relative to the remaining portion of the user interface.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein during the first portion of the gesture, the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold.
 21. The device of claim 7, wherein decreasing the size of the portion of the user interface relative to the remaining portion of the user interface includes decreasing the size of the respective representation of content relative to the remaining portion of the user interface.
 22. The device of claim 7, wherein during the first portion of the gesture, the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold.
 23. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein decreasing the size of the portion of the user interface relative to the remaining portion of the user interface includes decreasing the size of the respective representation of content relative to the remaining portion of the user interface.
 24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein during the first portion of the gesture, the intensity of the contact increases above the respective intensity threshold. 